Guinea-Bissau has become the sixth (6th) country to join the junta states in West Africa after the military announced a takeover on November 26, just a day before their election results were set to be announced.

In reaction to this, the Ghanaian government, in a strongly worded statement, condemned the act, describing it as a direct assault on democratic governance and a disruption of the electoral process.

The opening of the statement reads: “The Government of the Republic of Ghana strongly and unequivocally condemns the coup d'état carried out by elements of the military in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau. This unconstitutional usurpation of authority represents a direct assault on democratic governance and disrupts the electoral process that followed the peaceful conduct of presidential and legislative elections on 23 November 2025.”

According to observer missions, Guinea-Bissau had peaceful elections, and citizens awaited the declaration of their choice, but their expectations were thwarted by an unexpected military takeover.

The Ghanaian government lamented that this takeover has marred the democratic trajectory of the country, calling for the immediate restoration of constitutional order.

“The Government of Ghana views this development with profound concern and expresses deep dissatisfaction at the brazen attempt to overturn the will of the people of Guinea-Bissau. The action has dangerously interrupted the democratic trajectory of the nation and obstructed the anticipated announcement of the election results scheduled for 27th November, 2025. Ghana calls for the immediate restoration of constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau and urges all actors to respect the democratic process. Any grievances arising from the elections must be addressed solely through peaceful, transparent, and legally recognised mechanisms,” the government noted.

The Ghanaian government, under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, currently plays a mediating and unifying role in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to ensure peace, promote democracy, and respond to coups in West Africa.

Consequently, the government demanded that the safety and security of the deployed ECOWAS Election Observation Mission in Guinea-Bissau be ensured and that its members be granted passage out of the country without delay. It also pledged its support for ECOWAS and the African Union to work together in their mandate to bring a resolution and return the country to democratic rule.

“The Government of Ghana further demands that the security and fundamental rights of all citizens and foreign nationals be safeguarded. Particular emphasis is placed on the protection of officials of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission currently deployed in Guinea-Bissau, whose safety and secure passage must be guaranteed without delay.

“Ghana appeals to the people of Guinea-Bissau to remain calm, exercise maximum restraint, and avoid actions that may escalate tensions. The Government of Ghana reaffirms its full support for ECOWAS and the African Union in their coordinated response to the situation, in accordance with regional and continental protocols on democracy, good governance, and constitutional rule,” the statement added.

According to the Africa Policy Research Institution, ECOWAS focuses on regional integration, peace, security, and democracy, while the African Union (AU) provides continental leadership, mediation, and coordination with global partners. Together, they work to prevent coups, resolve conflicts, promote trade, and strengthen governance.

Guinea-Bissau’s coup adds to the many others that have happened in the last four years in West Africa. In 2020, the military took over after ousting President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta in Mali. In September 2021, the military removed President Alpha Condé in Guinea. A year later, two coups happened in Burkina Faso, which remains under military rule under Captain Ibrahim Traoré. Niger also, in July 2023, saw a coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. Chad went under military rule in April 2021 after the death of President Idriss Déby. Though Chad is in Central Africa, it is often grouped with the West African “coup belt.”

After a military takeover, ECOWAS mostly suspends the country. Although Guinea remains suspended due to a military coup in 2021, it has not formally withdrawn from the bloc.

However, following their takeovers, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger withdrew from ECOWAS in January 2025. The three military-led countries released a joint statement accusing ECOWAS of betraying its founding principles and becoming a threat to member states and their populations. They cited what they described as the imposition of “illegal, illegitimate, inhumane, and irresponsible sanctions” following their respective coups. These sanctions included economic restrictions and diplomatic isolation, which the juntas argued worsened insecurity and economic hardship in their countries.

The trio also called ECOWAS ‘puppets’ of foreign powers, particularly Western nations, criticizing the bloc for failing to support their efforts to combat terrorism and restore stability.

One of the military coups seemingly supported by the population includes the one led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré. He became the interim president of Burkina Faso after staging a military coup on September 30, 2022, with the help of junior officers and elements of the elite “Cobra” special forces, many of whom were aggrieved by poor equipment, unpaid salaries, and deteriorating conditions.

Traoré’s overthrow made him the youngest head of state in the world at the time. He ousted Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, another military leader who had seized power eight months earlier using similar means. Traoré attributed his takeover to Damiba’s failure to curb jihadist violence and restore security across the country. Since taking office, he has made significant changes in the administration that have attracted global attention.

He nationalised gold mines and created a state-owned mining company, SOPAMIB, which now controls several formerly foreign-owned assets. He approved the construction of Burkina Faso’s first gold refinery, capable of processing 400 kg of gold daily, creating thousands of jobs. He also cut ministers’ salaries by 30% and increased civil servants’ wages by 50%.

Despite this, he has rejected loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank. His administration launched low-cost housing, agricultural modernization, and road infrastructure projects, including a new airport. He expelled French troops and media, pivoting Burkina Faso’s foreign policy toward Russia, Turkey, and fellow Sahelian juntas in Mali and Niger, forming the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

About ECOWAS

ECOWAS is a regional political and economic union established on May 28, 1975, through the Treaty of Lagos. The purpose of the bloc is to promote economic integration, peace, and development among West African countries. Currently, the bloc has 12 active member states, including Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Guinea.