President Bola Tinubu joined fellow West African leaders in an urgent virtual summit on Thursday, November 27, 2025, to address the escalating political crisis in Guinea-Bissau following a military coup that has shaken the region.
Emergency Summit Convenes
The extraordinary ECOWAS meeting, conducted via Zoom, brought together heads of state from across West Africa for rapid diplomatic consultations. President Tinubu participated from Abuja, as confirmed by photographs released by the State House Media Department.
This emergency session comes just one day after Guinea-Bissau military forces seized power on Wednesday, November 26, arresting President Umaro Sissoco Embalo in a dramatic takeover that has raised concerns about regional stability.
Military Appoints Transition Leader
The Guinea-Bissau military has moved quickly to consolidate power, appointing General Horta Nta Na Man as head of a transitional government. The military leadership has announced that this transitional administration will remain in power for one year, though ECOWAS has immediately rejected this timeline.
President Tinubu, who served as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government for two consecutive terms until June 2025, brings significant experience to the crisis discussions. He handed over the bloc's leadership to Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio earlier this year.
ECOWAS Takes Firm Stance
The emergency summit concluded with a strong commitment from member states to restore constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau. President Tinubu emphasized the need for unity and swift diplomatic measures, stating that ECOWAS must act decisively to protect the will of the people of Guinea-Bissau.
This latest military intervention represents another challenge for ECOWAS, which has faced a resurgence of coups in the region in recent years. The bloc's determined response highlights its commitment to preventing further destabilization across West Africa.
Member states have pledged to monitor the situation closely and coordinate efforts to safeguard democracy in Guinea-Bissau, though specific actions and timelines remain under discussion as diplomatic efforts intensify.
