The decision was announced after an Extraordinary Virtual Summit of Heads of State and Government, chaired by Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, to assess the fast-escalating political situation in the country.
ECOWAS said it is “deeply concerned” about developments in Guinea-Bissau and urged the armed forces to return to their constitutional role.
“The MSC decides, in accordance with the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, to suspend Guinea-Bissau from all ECOWAS decision-making bodies until the full restoration of constitutional order,” the statement said.
Condemning Wednesday’s military takeover, the bloc rejected “any arrangement that perpetuates the illegal abortion of the democratic process and the subversion of the will of the people of Guinea-Bissau.”
ECOWAS demanded that the National Electoral Commission immediately resume its work and publish the results of the Nov. 23 presidential and legislative elections, which were contested by both incumbent Embaló and independent candidate Fernando Dias.
The bloc also called for the unconditional release of all detained officials, including electoral staff and political figures. Embaló fled to Senegal on Thursday.
Senegal’s Foreign Ministry confirmed his arrival in Dakar, saying an aircraft was dispatched to Bissau to facilitate his evacuation. “This allowed for the safe and sound arrival in Senegal of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló,” it said.
Dakar added that it has maintained continuous communication with actors in Guinea-Bissau since the crisis began, focusing on the release of detainees and the reopening of borders to allow stranded electoral observers and citizens to return home.
On Wednesday, officers identifying themselves as the “High Military Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Order” appeared on state television announcing that they had assumed full control of the state.
The group later appointed Gen. Horta Inta-A as transitional president. After being sworn in on Thursday, Gen. Inta-A named Maj. Gen. Tomas Djassi as the new chief of the general staff.
The military authorities said movement restrictions and the nationwide curfew introduced after the takeover will be lifted on Friday, with schools set to reopen immediately.
ECOWAS said it will dispatch a mediation mission to Bissau to engage with the military leadership on restoring constitutional order, warning that the bloc reserves the right to apply targeted sanctions against those deemed responsible for undermining the democratic process.