Coup: ECOWAS suspends Guinea; demands Condé’s release

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has suspended Guinea from all ECOWAS governing bodies with immediate effect following the political situation in that country characterised by a coup d’état, which occurred, on 5 September 2021, by members of the Special Forces of the Republic of Guinea, led by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya.

ECOWAS will also immediately dispatch a high-level mission to Guinea to assess the situation.

These decisions were taken at an emergency extraordinary session via videoconference on 8 September 2021, under the chairmanship of Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

The Authority expressed deep concern that the political developments in Guinea could have consequences for regional peace and stability.

ECOWAS reaffirmed its unreserved opposition to any political change by unconstitutional means and condemned, in the strongest terms, the coup.

The Authority also demanded respect for the physical safety of the President of Guinea Alpha Condé, and his immediate and unconditional release, as well as that of all arrested persons.

ECOWAS is further calling for the immediate return to constitutional order and demanded that the Defence and Security Forces maintain a constitutional posture.

The Heads of State and Government express their solidarity with the people of Guinea and affirm their determination to take every necessary action for the restoration of constitutional order, in conformity with the supplementary protocol on democracy and good governance.