On Grave political situation in Guinea-Bissau after the coup of 26 November

B100568/2025

European Parliament resolution on Grave political situation in Guinea-Bissau after the coup of 26 November

(2025/3027(RSP))

The European Parliament,

_ having regard to its previous resolutions on Guinea-Bissau,

_ pursuant to Rule 150(5) of the Rules of Procedure,

Whereas Guinea-Bissau has a long history of coups and attempted coups undermining democratic governance and institutional stability; whereas under President Umaro Sissoco Embaló the rule of law has deteriorated with severe restrictions on fundamental freedoms and the unconstitutional dissolution of the parliament;

Whereas on 23 November 2025 Guinea-Bissau held general elections, in which the main opposition party was barred from presenting a candidate; whereas on 26 November, the eve of the official announcement of the general election results, the military seized power in a coup d'état, illegally suspending the electoral process, the constitutional order and replacing civilian authority;

Whereas since the coup, journalists, civil society activists, senior officials responsible for the electoral process, and members of the political opposition have been subjected to harassment, threats, and arbitrary detention, with several opposition leaders being held incommunicado;

Whereas reports indicate that the military coup was orchestrated by the incumbent President to avoid electoral defeat, with his allies now holding power in the country; whereas this coup adds to a string of military take-overs in the region, exacerbating instability in West Africa;

Whereas ECOWAS and the African Union have suspended Guinea-Bissau from all their bodies until constitutional order is restored;

Condemns the forcible seizure of power by the military, and asserts that such actions constitute a grave breach of constitutional governance, and represent a direct assault on the democratic political will of the Bissau-Guinean people;

Demands the immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional and democratic order in Guinea-Bissau, including the full restoration of the electoral process that was underway prior to the military takeover, and that national elections be organised without further delay in accordance with international standards, and the reinstatement of legitimate political institutions;

Demands the immediate and unconditional release of all persons detained after the coup for political, journalistic, or civil society activity;

Urges the junta to refrain from using force and respect all fundamental freedoms and rights, including freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly, political participation, and media independence;

Calls for an immediate, independent investigation into all human rights violations, ensuring that every individual responsible for orchestrating the coup or perpetrating abuses will be held accountable;

Urges for coordinated engagement by EU, UN, AU and ECOWAS to address the regional instability and put pressure on the coup leaders to restore civilian rule;

Urges the EU to immediately halt any funding that could advantage the junta, and to prioritise support for democratic civil society organisations, independent media outlets, and democratic local actors;

Urges the resumption of an inclusive political dialogue among all key actors in Guinea-Bissau, with a view to achieving democratic, transparent, fair and peaceful solutions;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the EU institutions, HRVP, the Member States, the authorities of Guinea-Bissau, African regional organisations, and the United Nations;