• ECOWAS rejects Guinea-Bissau junta’s transition timetable

• Bloc demands political prisoners freed, inclusive transition government

• ECOWAS threatens targeted sanctions, deploys defence chiefs delegation

West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, has taken a tougher line against Guinea-Bissau’s ruling junta, rejecting outright the “transition timetable” announced by the interim authorities.

In a communiqué issued on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, after its 68th summit of heads of state and government, the regional body called for the immediate release of all political prisoners and their inclusion in the political process. It also urged the launch of a short transition led by an inclusive government.

That government would be responsible for constitutional, legal and political reforms and for organising credible, transparent and inclusive elections.

The Authority of Heads of State and Government also instructed the ECOWAS Commission to fully support the transition, including by strengthening the capacity of the ECOWAS Mission in Guinea-Bissau, the statement said.

To continue discussions, the Authority ordered the immediate deployment of a delegation from the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff to the country to hold talks with military leaders.

The bloc said it would impose targeted sanctions on individuals or groups obstructing a return to constitutional order through an inclusive process. Possible measures include asset freezes, restrictions on commercial transactions and travel bans within the ECOWAS region for junta members and their relatives. No further details were provided.

Following the coup, the military installed army chief General Horta N’Tam as interim president and head of a military command tasked with restoring national security and public order for a one-year period.

ECOWAS said elections held on Nov. 23, 2025, were judged free, transparent and peaceful by its election observation mission and by other international observers, including the African Union.

The Authority called on the African Union and other international partners to support implementation of the decisions.

Lydie Mobio