The decision was announced in a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC), which brought together leaders and representatives of all member states.
The regional bloc condemned the coup in strong terms, describing it as an unacceptable disruption of the country’s democratic process. It also expressed deep concern over the escalating political crisis and demanded the immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order.
According to the communiqué, ECOWAS has constituted a high-level Mediation Mission to engage directly with the coup leaders. The delegation will be led by the Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio.
The Mission will also include President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, President José Maria Neves of Cabo Verde, and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, along with the President of the ECOWAS Commission.
The MSC further demanded that the military authorities ensure the immediate release of all detained civilian leaders, guarantee the safety and freedom of citizens, and allow the National Electoral Commission to proceed with the declaration of the November 23 election results without delay.
ECOWAS emphasized that it rejects any arrangement aimed at legitimising the unconstitutional seizure of power or undermining the will of the people of Guinea-Bissau.
