By MARK LONGYEN

The ECOWAS Parliament has created a special closed-door committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the recent military coup d’etat in Guinea-Bissau, which culminated in President Omaro Embalo’s exit from office.

The regional parliament took the decision during its 2025 Second Extraordinary Session, which was dedicated to deliberations on the Guinea-Bissau crisis, presided by Speaker Memounatou Ibrahima, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The decision, which aimed at making a firm resolution on the matter, was sequel to a rancorous debate, with various parliamentarians, including Guinea-Bissau representatives, making divergent submissions before the parliament.

Ibrahima directed that following the serious concerns raised over the coup, the matter be referred to a closed-door committee, which would recommend urgent measures that would culminate in crafting a far-reaching resolution.

The committee was also mandated to carry out an independent investigation into the alleged coup, demand the immediate release of the election results, diplomatic and security engagement with authorities in Guinea-Bissau.

The Speaker then adjourned plenary to enable the committee to conclude its assignment and make recommendations, which would be considered during the next sitting of the parliament.

Earlier during deliberations, tensions ran high as the members demanded immediate regional action to safeguard democracy in the sub-region.

Rep. Awaji-Inombek Abiante, the Rapporteur of the Committee on Political Affairs that was mandated to interface with key stakeholders on the situation, had presented a fact-finding report on his assignment.

The lawmaker briefed the parliament on engagements held with election observers, ECOWAS statutory organs on political stability, and MPs from Guinea-Bissau.

He said that the committee interfaced with members of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, including Ablai Iketa, Amadou Kamara, and Issach Lumina Pereira-Soureza, as well as Honourable Nelson, a candidate in the disputed election.

Abiante said that on Nov. 26, gunfire erupted in the capital, leading to what many described as an unconstitutional takeover, variously referred to as a coup, palace coup, or arranged coup.

The regional parliamentarians expressed their deep concern over the crisis, which they described as yet another blow to West Africa’s democratic stability.

With more lawmakers attempting to speak, the session became increasingly rowdy, prompting the speaker to call for order.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ECOWAS and the African Union had since suspended Guinea-Bissau from their activities pending clarity on the political situation in the country. (NAN)

•PHOTO: ECOWAS parliamentarians during the rowdy session dedicated to deliberations on the military takeover of power in Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday in Abuja (NAN)