The ECOWAS Parliament has declared the military coup d’etat in Guinea-Bissau as an unacceptable assault on democracy and a direct threat to regional and global stability.

The parliament’s speaker, Memounatou Ibrahima, stated this during the 2025 Second Ordinary Session in Abuja on Tuesday, convened by the parliament amid rising concern over backsliding in democratic governance across West Africa.

The two-week session, which coincides with the parliament’s 25th anniversary, will focus on myriad issues, including the 2026 Community Budget, legislative reforms, gender parity and women mainstreaming in politics, country reports, strategic engagements with international partners, as well as the specific dedication of Wednesday for deliberations on the Guinea-Bissau coup.

Ms Ibrahima, whose keynote address was read by the first deputy speaker and Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau warned that the coup violated ECOWAS’ zero tolerance principle against unconstitutional changes of government.

The speaker stated that the military takeover of power in Guinea-Bissau occurred, despite a peaceful electoral process, and demanded the full restoration of democratic order in the country.

She also described the military action as a domestic constitutional breach and a destabilising ripple in a region that already grappling with insecurity, economic strain, and fragile political transitions.

Ms Ibrahima announced that a high-level session would be held on Wednesday to enable the regional parliamentarians to deliberate on the coup in Guinea-Bissau, and chart the way forward.

While decrying the coup as an unfortunate development, she declared that the regional body stands resolutely with the people of Guinea-Bissau amid the truncating of democracy in the country.

The speaker added that the coup signalled a renewed push by ECOWAS to assert authority at a time that the region is witnessing a disturbing resurgence of coups from the Sahel to the coast.

According to her, the will of Guinea-Bissau’s electorate must prevail, adding that ECOWAS institutions and heads of state are aligned on sanctions and diplomatic measures to reverse the military takeover.

Ms Ibrahima called for collective action to protect democratic gains across the sub-region, as the panacea for the 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,” she said.

The speaker also called for deeper integration, stronger governance frameworks, and strengthened partnerships between West African countries global institutions.

(NAN)