Guinea-Bissau military takeover: West Africa at turning point, ECOWAS warns

Barau Jibrin, First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, has urged West African leaders to demonstrate renewed courage and unity in defending democracy, warning that the latest political upheaval in Guinea-Bissau poses a significant threat to regional peace and stability.

Barau delivered the message in Abuja, while declaring open the 2025 Second Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament on behalf of Memounatu Ibrahima, the Speaker.

He said that although the region has recorded notable democratic progress in recent years, those gains remain fragile and require unwavering vigilance.

Describing the military takeover in Guinea-Bissau as “an unacceptable assault on democracy and a direct threat to regional stability,” the Deputy Speaker said the coup represents a major setback for West Africa and underscores the need for stronger collective action against unconstitutional change of government.

Read also: ECOWAS presses Guinea Bissau junta to restore civilian rule

He stressed that the ECOWAS Parliament fully aligns with the decisions of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, reaffirming the bloc’s zero-tolerance policy on coups.

“We stand resolutely with the people of Guinea-Bissau. Their voices, expressed clearly at the ballot box, must be respected,” Barau declared, insisting that the restoration of democratic order in the country must be swift and uncompromising.

Beyond the Guinea-Bissau crisis, Barau noted that the sub-region faces a widening range of complex challenges, including escalating insecurity, economic pressures, climate shocks and delayed political transitions.

These threats, he said, demand coordinated leadership and stronger commitment to regional cooperation.

He emphasised that ECOWAS must remain the primary platform for dialogue, inclusive governance and peacebuilding across its member states.

Read also: Guinea Bissau’s ousted president Embalo flees to Senegal after coup

Barau also highlighted the Parliament’s recent diplomatic engagements in Geneva, Istanbul, Tangier, Jerusalem and with the European Parliament, noting that the discussions helped deepen collaboration with global partners and strengthened ECOWAS’ profile as “a respected voice on the international scene.”

The Deputy Speaker urged member states and development partners to recommit to building a stable, democratic and prosperous West Africa, warning that progress will depend on leaders’ willingness to defend the will of the people.

“The future of our region depends not only on the decisions we make, but on the courage with which we act,” he said.

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