The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has suspended Guinea-Bissau from it decision making bodies with immediate effect following a military coup that overthrew President Umaro Sissoco Embalo on Tuesday November 26.
In a strongly worded communique issued after an emergency virtual summit late Thursday, ECOWAS Heads of State condemned the takeover in the strongest terms and ordered the unconstitutional restoration of constitutional rule.
ECOWAS praised Guinea-Bissau citizens for their resilience and commitment to democracy during the vote while expressing alarm at the military’s disruption of the electoral process.
The regional bloc rejected any arrangements that perpetuate the illegal abortion of the democratic process and the subversion of the will of the people and demanded that coup leaders allow the National Electoral Commission to declare the November 23 election results without further delay.
It also directs the immediate and unconditional release of President Embalo and other detained electoral officials and all other political figures.
The Leaders warned that the coup organisers would be held individually and collectively responsible for any harm Provide safe passage for the ECOWAS and international election observers.
The extra ordinary session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, chaired by Sierra Lone’s president Julius Maada Bio, was attended by the President’s Cabo Verde, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Lone, Cote d’Ivoire’s Vice President, and Senior ministers from Benin, Gambia, and Togo.
Also present were the presidents of the ECOWAS and African Union Commission, the head of the UN office for West Africa and Sahel, Guinea-Bissau’s Foreign Minister, and bloc’s special envoy to the country.
However, despite International pressure, the coup leaders have appointed the army’s chief of staff, General Horta N’Tam, as transitional head of state for a one-year period.
-9News Nigeria.
