On the eve of the 68th Ordinary Session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS), a united front of civil society is putting maximum pressure on the regional organization regarding the political crisis in Guinea-Bissau.

Seventeen (17) West African organizations and movements issued a scathing joint statement in Abuja on December 13, 2025. They expressed their deep concern about the situation that has prevailed since the military takeover on November 26.

Far from calling it a simple coup, the signatories denounce a "state plot" allegedly orchestrated by the outgoing president, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, in collusion with the armed forces.

"We strongly condemn this cynical and unjust scheme by the outgoing president, using the armed forces to seriously undermine the official publication of the ballots."

The organizations point out that the presidential and legislative elections of November 23, 2025, had nevertheless been praised by the international community as being "peaceful, free and transparent".

Their core demand is clear: the immediate publication of the election results. Civil society emphasizes that it is crucial to allow the people of Guinea-Bissau to know the outcome of their choice and to finally achieve the country's first peaceful democratic transfer of power.

A compelling argument is put forward to counter any administrative obstruction: although copies of the official reports (PVs) were destroyed at the National Electoral Commission (CNE), authentic copies still exist with the Regional Electoral Commissions and the local government bodies. These bodies hold the same documents, the use of which for announcing the results is legally stipulated by Guinea-Bissau's electoral law.

In light of the upcoming ECOWAS session, the organizations call on the regional body to: maintain pressure on the military authorities to respect the popular will and immediately publish the results; create the appropriate conditions for the immediate installation of the elected president, in accordance with the Constitution; and take targeted sanctions against the perpetrators, co-perpetrators and accomplices of what they describe as a "despicable state plot".

To the military authorities of Guinea-Bissau, the 17 movements address a twofold appeal: immediately release the opposition leader Domingos Simões Pereira, former Prime Minister, as well as all political figures arbitrarily detained; collaborate closely with ECOWAS and the international community to facilitate the inauguration of the democratically elected president.

The statement concludes with conviction: "The publication of the election results and respect for the will of the people of Guinea-Bissau are the only ways to guarantee stability and peace in Guinea-Bissau."