By: Precious Miracle Kargbo
West African leaders, led by President Julius Maada Bio, convened an extraordinary virtual summit to address the unfolding crisis in Guinea-Bissau which was held on 26th November 2025.
The meeting follows a military takeover in which officers seized power, arrested President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, and suspended the electoral process on Wednesday.
This marks Guinea-Bissau’s ninth coup since gaining independence in 1974, drawing widespread condemnation from regional bodies, including ECOWAS and the African Union. The military, citing a destabilization plot involving politicians and drug traffickers, has appointed General Horta N’Tam as interim leader.
President Bio, who also serves as ECOWAS Chairman, stressed the need for a coordinated regional response to restore constitutional order. The summit is expected to explore measures to pressure the military to relinquish power and return the country to democratic governance.
The international community, including Portugal, has called for respect for the electoral process and a swift return to democratic rule. The situation in the capital, Bissau, remains tense, with reports of gunfire and detentions.
