Full Text of the EU Parliament’s “MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Grave political situation in Guinea-Bissau after the coup of 26 November”

The European Parliament,
– having regard to Rule 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,
whereas on 26 November 2025, the military led by General Horta Inta-a seized power in Guinea-Bissau, dissolving democratic institutions and suspending the electoral process just one day before the scheduled announcement of election results;
whereas in the aftermath opposition representatives were arrested and presidential candidate Fernando Dias, who ran against the then-incumbent President Sissoco, was granted asylum by Nigeria after seeking refuge in their embassy; whereas opposition leader Domingos Simões Pereira is being arbitrarily detained incommunicado; whereas then-President Sissoco, was allowed to leave the country;
whereas the ties between the coup leader and the former President have raised serious allegations that the coup was staged to pre-empt an electoral defeat; whereas the democratic space was already severely restricted prior to this coup, with major opposition parties excluded from elections;
whereas Guinea-Bissau has faced chronic instability since its independence, suffering five coups d’etat and 17 coup attempts, hindering the country’s development and contributing to its status as a hub for drug trafficking;
whereas the military junta has imposed a severe crackdown on civil liberties, including restrictions on the operation of independent press, further isolating the country and preventing the flow of independent information;
whereas the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) and the African Union have suspended Guinea-Bissau’s membership, and whereas international partners have strongly condemned the seizure of power by force;
whereas ECOWAS on 14 December rejected the ruling Junta Transitional Political Charter, outlining a 12-month transition period, followed by elections;
Condemns the military coup of 26 November 2025 and the interruption of the electoral process; underlines that the Coup constitutes a serious violation of democratic principles, and the sovereign will of the Guinean people;
Calls on all parties involved to refrain from any acts of violence, whether institutional or civic in nature;
Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Domingos Simões Pereira and all persons detained in the context of the current political crisis ensuring their physical integrity and full access to legal defence and medical care;
Calls for the immediate publication of the election results as voted for by the people on 23 November, and demands a swift return to constitutional order and the rule of law as an indispensable precondition for peace, stability and development in the country;
Urges the military junta to lift all restrictions on independent media and to respect the freedom of expression and assembly and to ensure all civil and human rights;
Stresses that the chronic cycle of instability can only be addressed through deep structural reforms, particularly of the security sector, aided by an ECOWAS regionally-supported approach, and the consolidation of independent democratic institutions;
Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the governments of the Member States, the ECOWAS Commission, the African Union, the CPLP and the authorities of Guinea-Bissau.