The Nigeria government has strongly condemned the military coup which has led to an unconstitutional change of government in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.
Abuja Times reports that on 26 November 2025, the president of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, was arrested as part of a coup d’état carried out by Head of the Military Office of the Presidency Brigadier General Dinis Incanha.
The Military officers declared “total control” over the country and established the High Military Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Order.
The coup occurred a day before the results of the 2025 Guinea-Bissau general election held on 23 November, in which Embaló was running for reelection, were expected to be officially announced.
Reacting to the development, Nigeria, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep concern about the unfortunate military coup in Guinea-Bissau.
A statement on Thursday by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, reads, “Nigeria, in the strongest possible terms, condemns this act of military insurrection which undermines the democratic progress, constitutional order, and stability not only of Guinea-Bissau but of the entire West African sub-region.
“This coup d’état represents a blatant violation of the fundamental principles of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which explicitly rejects any ascension to power through unconstitutional means.”
While expressing solidarity with the people of Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria called for the immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order, the safety and security of all those detained and the full respect for the sanctity of democratic institutions in Guinea-Bissau.
“The Nigerian Government wishes to unequivocally call on the authorities in Guinea-Bissau to ensure and guarantee the safety of all election observers still in the country on official assignment.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria urges all actors involved to exercise utmost restraint, prioritize peaceful dialogue, and respect the will of the people of Guinea-Bissau as expressed through their ballots and the peaceful conclusion of the election with the announcement of results by the electoral management body.
“We warn that the perpetrators of this act will be held accountable for their actions, which threaten to plunge the nation into chaos and reverse the hard-won gains of its democracy,” the statement read.
Nigeria emphasized that as a key member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, it will work closely with regional and international partners to take all necessary measures to ensure the swift return to normalcy and constitutional governance in Guinea-Bissau.
“We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the promotion of democracy, peace, and stability across the African continent,” Ebienfa stated.