The ECOWAS Parliament has established a closed-door special committee to probe the military coup in Guinea-Bissau that led to the removal of President Omaro Embalo from office.
The decision was reached on Wednesday in Abuja during the 2025 Second Extraordinary Session of the Parliament, which focused entirely on the political upheaval in the country. The session, presided over by Speaker Memounatou Ibrahima, was marked by tense exchanges as lawmakers — including those from Guinea-Bissau — offered conflicting views on the crisis.
Following heated debate, Ibrahima ordered that the issue be referred to a confidential committee mandated to conduct an independent investigation into the alleged coup. The committee is expected to recommend urgent actions, scrutinise the disputed election results, and engage with Guinea-Bissau’s authorities on diplomatic and security matters.
Plenary was adjourned to allow the committee complete its assignment ahead of the parliament’s next sitting.
During earlier deliberations, several lawmakers pressed for swift regional intervention to protect democratic governance in West Africa. Rep. Awaji-Inombek Abiante, who led a fact-finding mission on the situation, presented his report to the Parliament. He outlined engagements with ECOWAS election observers, political stability organs, and Bissau-Guinean MPs.
According to Abiante, the situation deteriorated on November 26 when gunfire erupted in the capital — an event widely described as an unconstitutional seizure of power, with some calling it a coup and others a “palace coup.”
As debate intensified, the session grew increasingly unruly, prompting the Speaker to restore order.
Guinea-Bissau remains suspended from ECOWAS and African Union activities pending further clarity on developments in the country.
