Abuja: The ECOWAS Parliament has condemned the recent military coup in Guinea-Bissau as an unacceptable assault on democracy and a significant threat to both regional and global stability. This declaration was made by the parliament’s Speaker, Memounatou Ibrahima, during the 2025 Second Ordinary Session held in Abuja on Tuesday. The session was convened by the Parliament in response to increasing concerns over the decline of democratic governance throughout West Africa.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the two-week session, coinciding with the Parliament’s 25th anniversary, will address several critical issues, including the 2026 Community Budget and legislative reforms. Topics such as gender parity and women’s political mainstreaming, country reports, and strategic engagements with international partners are also on the agenda, with a specific focus on Wednesday dedicated to discussing the coup in Guinea-Bissau.
During the session, Ibrahima, whose keynote address was delivered by First Deputy Speaker and Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, emphasized that the coup violated ECOWAS’ zero tolerance policy against unconstitutional changes of government. She highlighted that the military takeover occurred despite a peaceful electoral process and demanded a full restoration of democratic order in the country.
The speaker described the military action as a breach of domestic constitutional order and a destabilizing force in a region already facing insecurity, economic challenges, and fragile political transitions. Ibrahima announced that a dedicated high-level session would be conducted on Wednesday to allow regional parliamentarians to thoroughly deliberate on the situation in Guinea-Bissau and devise a way forward.
Expressing her disapproval of the coup, she asserted that the regional body stood firmly with the people of Guinea-Bissau amidst the undermining of democracy in their nation. The coup, according to her, signifies a renewed effort by ECOWAS to assert its authority at a time when the region is experiencing a troubling resurgence of coups from the Sahel to the coast.
She stressed the importance of upholding the will of Guinea-Bissau’s electorate and mentioned that ECOWAS institutions and heads of state are in agreement on implementing sanctions and diplomatic measures to reverse the military takeover. Ibrahima called for collective action to safeguard democratic achievements across the sub-region as the key to development.
“The voices of the people, expressed clearly and peacefully at the ballot box, must be respected. Persistent insecurity, economic crises, climate shocks, and unstable transitions continue to test our region. However, coordinated, united action remains our best defence,” Ibrahima concluded.