West Africa’s regional bloc ECOWAS warned on Sunday of targeted sanctions against anyone obstructing Guinea-Bissau’s return to civilian rule after last month’s coup. The warning came as regional leaders gathered in Nigeria for a bi-annual summit overshadowed by recent coup attempts in Guinea-Bissau and Benin.
ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray said sanctions would target individuals or groups undermining the transition, speaking after the summit in Abuja. Touray said the ECOWAS peacekeeping force in Guinea-Bissau is authorised to protect political leaders and national institutions during the fragile transition.
The coups rattled the bloc, which condemned the takeover in Guinea-Bissau and a failed putsch in Benin during Sunday’s closed-door talks. In Benin, Nigeria deployed fighter jets and troops alongside Ivorian forces to bolster the civilian government after the attempted coup.
ECOWAS said additional troops from Ghana and Sierra Leone are being sent to reinforce regional security and deter further unrest. The summit was also dominated by concerns over Sahel security, where jihadist violence continues to destabilise Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
The three junta-led states have withdrawn from ECOWAS and formed the Alliance of Sahel States, complicating regional security coordination. Sierra Leone President Julius Bio warned that borders offer no shield from violence, underscoring shared risks across West Africa.
Leaders also discussed Guinea’s December elections, which ECOWAS cautiously described as progress despite opposition exclusions and credibility concerns. Touray said the bloc hopes the vote will be transparent and fair, reflecting lingering doubts over democratic transitions.
Guinea and Guinea-Bissau’s junta leaders were absent, while Nigerian President Bola Tinubu was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima. The summit closed amid broader worries over democratic backsliding, as disputed elections deepen political fractures across the region.