Guinea-Bissau Military Bans Protests & Strikes Amid ECOWAS Visit After Coup; Calls for Constitutional Order Restoration

Guinea-Bissau Junta Imposes Ban Ahead of Critical ECOWAS Mediation Visit

Guinea-Bissau's military authorities have moved to tighten their grip on power, declaring an immediate ban on all protests and strikes. This decisive action comes just as a high-level delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) prepares for a critical visit aimed at reinstating constitutional governance following last week's military takeover.

The prohibition, announced late Sunday by the military government, targets any demonstrations, industrial actions, or activities perceived as threats to peace and stability within the nation. The directive also mandated the prompt reopening and resumption of operations for all public institutions, ministries, and state secretariats.

This order closely follows Saturday's protests in the capital, Bissau, where hundreds of predominantly young people gathered. Their demands included the immediate release of detained opposition figures and the public disclosure of the contested presidential election results.

ECOWAS Delegation's Mission and Warnings

The ECOWAS mediation team, comprising the presidents of Togo, Cape Verde, and Senegal, alongside the ECOWAS Commission president, was anticipated to arrive in Bissau on Monday. The primary objective of this high-stakes delegation is to persuade the coup leaders to restore democratic order and to release the results from the disputed presidential polls. ECOWAS has previously issued a stern warning, indicating potential sanctions against any individuals or groups deemed responsible for undermining Guinea-Bissau's electoral and democratic processes.

Junta's Justification and Transition Plan

Major-General Horta Inta-a, the interim president installed by the military, justified the coup by asserting it was essential to thwart a conspiracy by "narcotraffickers" intent on "capturing Guinean democracy." He has pledged to oversee a one-year transitional period, which commenced immediately.

This latest coup underscores a persistent pattern of political instability in Guinea-Bissau, a nation notorious as a significant cocaine transit hub and burdened by a long history of military involvement in its political affairs.