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| Soldiers on parade |
In Guinea-Bissau, the military seized power in late November following disputed elections
West African leaders have expressed growing alarm at the resurgence of military coups across the continent, describing this trend as a serious threat to democracy and regional stability.
The 68th Ordinary Session of Heads of State of ECOWAS, held in Abuja on December 14 and chaired by the President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, focused its discussions on recent political crises, particularly the successful coup in Guinea-Bissau and the failed coup attempt in Benin.
In Guinea-Bissau, the military seized power in late November following disputed elections, arresting former President Umaro Sissoco Embaló. ECOWAS quickly condemned the takeover and rejected the junta’s transition roadmap, demanding an immediate return to constitutional rule.
A failed coup attempt in Benin on December 7 was swiftly neutralized thanks to the rapid intervention of the ECOWAS Standby Force, with troops from Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Sierra Leone playing a key role. This action, hailed by leaders as proof of the bloc's growing capacity for preemptive action, demonstrates the bloc's increasing capacity for preventive action.
As the region continues to grapple with the anticipated withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the organization, ECOWAS pledged stronger measures, including targeted sanctions, enhanced peacekeeping, and a more robust collective defense against coups, terrorism, and unconstitutional regime changes.