Accra: A high-level delegation from the West African regional bloc known as ECOWAS concluded its mediation mission to Guinea-Bissau on Monday without achieving a breakthrough, but vowed to persist in discussions with the coup leaders later this month. Led by Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, the delegation aimed to facilitate a return to civilian governance following a military coup that took place last Wednesday.
According to Nam News Network, the junta justified its actions by claiming it sought to restore security and stability in the nation, prohibiting protests and strikes. Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister Timothy Musa Kabba, representing President Bio, described the discussions as “very fruitful.” The chair of the authority condemned the military takeover and demanded the immediate restoration of constitutional order, which includes completing the electoral process.
ECOWAS has openly criticized the coup and called for the reinstatement of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, who fled to Brazzaville
after being detained. In his absence, the military appointed former army chief Gen. Horta Inta-a as the head of a transitional government, which has already formed a new cabinet primarily composed of allies of the ousted president. Foreign Minister Joo Bernardo Vieira, appointed by the junta, stated that continued collaboration with ECOWAS is essential for returning to constitutional order.
The deadline for the end of the transition was set at one year, but the matter will be addressed at the ECOWAS Conference of Heads of State and Government on December 14. The decision made at this conference will determine the next steps. ECOWAS suspended Guinea-Bissau from its decision-making bodies following the coup, pending a return to civilian rule.
The United Nations has also condemned the coup, with Secretary-General António Guterres calling for the unconditional release of all detained political figures and emphasizing the importance of respecting the will of the people as expressed in the November 23 election. T
he military takeover occurred while the country awaited the results of last month’s presidential election.