Name: ECOWAS rejects Guinea-Bissau transition, warns of sanctions
Uploaded: 2025-12-15T10:14:23.623Z
Duration: 2 min 6 s
Description: Discussions also focused on the impact of climate change on food security, with calls for coordinated regional responses to recurring floods and droughts.

Discussions also focused on the impact of climate change on food security, with calls for coordinated regional responses to recurring floods and droughts.

Bissau

West African leaders have rejected the transition program announced by Guinea-Bissau's military authorities, calling instead for a rapid return to constitutional governance. During the 68th ECOWAS summit in Abuja, heads of state emphasized the importance of democracy for peace, justice, and development in the region, and warned of targeted sanctions against those obstructing the process.

The summit also addressed broader regional issues, including instability in Guinea-Bissau and an attempted coup in Benin, highlighting the need for vigilance in protecting democratic order. Leaders further discussed progress on economic integration, trade liberalization, energy cooperation, and major infrastructure projects within ECOWAS.

ECOWAS rejects Guinea-Bissau transition, warns of sanctions

West African leaders have rejected a transition program announced by Guinea-Bissau's military rulers, calling instead for a swift return to constitutional order and warning of targeted sanctions against those obstructing the process. The position was reaffirmed on Sunday in Abuja, where heads of state met for the 68th summit of the ECOWAS. The ECOWAS understood that democracy is inseparable from peace, justice, and development. Today, that democratic order is being tested. The resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government, threatening our regional stability, undermines our citizens' rights, and weakens our collective future. The instability in Guinea-Bissau and the attempted coup d'etat in Benin remind us that democracy requires constant vigilance and principled action. Nigeria's Vice President, representing President Bola Ametin Ubu, urged leaders to reaffirm their commitment to regional solidarity, stressing that the West African's unity goes beyond political disagreements. Africa is not a random assemblage of borders drawn by chance. It is a family bound by memory, culture, struggle, and aspiration. Like all families, we disagree. We contest ideas, and we test one another's patience. But disagreement does not erase belonging. Civil rivalry does not annul shared blood. This is the position of Nigeria. We remain persuaded that fraternity, not force, must define the future. Beyond political tensions, leaders review progress on economic integration, including the ECOWAS trade liberalization scheme, energy cooperation, and major infrastructure projects.

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