The Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS held an Extraordinary Virtual Summit on Thursday, November 27, 2025, to address the unfolding political crisis in Guinea-Bissau. The meeting was chaired by the President of Sierra Leone, who currently serves as Chairperson of the regional bloc.
The summit comes in response to the military’s announcement of a coup d’état in Guinea-Bissau while the country awaited the official results of its November 23 presidential and legislative elections. Regional leaders expressed growing concern over the disruption of the democratic process and the reported arrest of senior government and electoral officials.
Thursday’s meeting followed a strongly worded joint statement issued by the African Union Election Observation Mission, ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, and the West African Elders Forum, condemning the attempted takeover and calling for the swift restoration of constitutional order.
ECOWAS leaders are expected to outline immediate steps to support stability, demand the release of detained officials, and ensure that the electoral process is allowed to conclude peacefully.
