ECOWAS Calls for Short, Inclusive Political Transition in Guinea-Bissau

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has reiterated its call for a brief and inclusive political transition in Guinea-Bissau, stressing the need for a swift return to constitutional order to prevent prolonged instability.

Speaking on behalf of the regional bloc, ECOWAS chairman and Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio urged the authorities in Guinea-Bissau to establish a transition process that brings together all political and social forces in the country. He warned against any attempt to extend the transition period, which ECOWAS views as a risk to democratic stability.

The organisation has made clear its opposition to prolonged transitional arrangements and is pressing for concrete steps toward restoring constitutional governance. Among ECOWAS’s key demands is the release of political detainees, which it considers essential for building trust and creating an environment conducive to inclusive dialogue.

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A high-level ECOWAS delegation is already in Bissau, holding discussions with the transitional authorities and other stakeholders. The mission aims to assess the political situation, encourage consensus among local actors and support a clear roadmap toward elections and civilian rule.

Guinea-Bissau has experienced repeated coups and political crises over the past decades, making stability a persistent challenge. ECOWAS says its engagement is driven by a determination to prevent another prolonged crisis and to safeguard democratic norms in the country and across West Africa.

The bloc has reaffirmed its commitment to working with national stakeholders to ensure a peaceful, inclusive and time-bound transition that responds to the aspirations of the Guinean people.

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