The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has suspended Guinea-Bissau from all its decision-making bodies after a military takeover in the country.

The decision was announced Thursday following an emergency virtual meeting of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC), chaired by Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio.

According to the MSC communiqué, the suspension aligns with the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance (2001) and will remain in effect until constitutional order is fully restored.

The coup occurred on Wednesday, just three days after Guinea-Bissau’s presidential and legislative elections. Military officers halted the electoral process, closed the borders, and blocked the release of official results.

ECOWAS condemned the takeover, calling the detention of key figures, including incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, “unacceptable.” The bloc demanded the immediate release of all political detainees and called for the electoral commission to announce the results without interference.

Despite international pressure, the coup leaders have appointed the army’s chief of staff, General Horta N’Tam, as transitional head of state for a one-year period.