Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko delivered a critical address to parliamentarians on Friday concerning the recent military coup in neighboring Guinea-Bissau, emphasizing the urgent need to preserve the electoral process and secure the release of detained officials. This intervention comes as ECOWAS announces a high-stakes mediation mission to address the political crisis.
The political turmoil in Guinea-Bissau represents another destabilizing event in West Africa, a region that has witnessed six successful coups since 2020. Prime Minister Sonko’s statement before the National Assembly carries significant weight given Senegal’s influential role in regional politics and its geographic proximity to the crisis.
During the parliamentary session dedicated to current affairs, Sonko carefully navigated diplomatic protocols, noting that “diplomatic matters fall under the prerogatives of the head of state” while simultaneously offering his characteristically direct assessment of the situation: “Everyone knows it’s a scheme“. This ambiguous reference suggests deeper political machinations behind the apparent military takeover.
The Prime Minister’s specific concern for opposition leader Domingos Simões Pereira—noting he “doesn’t even have access to his medication“—highlights the human rights implications of the coup and signals Senegal’s particular interest in Pereira’s welfare, potentially indicating broader political alliances at play.
Regional Diplomacy in Action: EmbalĂł’s Extraction to Dakar
The extraction of ousted President Umaro Sissoco EmbalĂł to Senegal represents a sophisticated diplomatic operation. The specially chartered aircraft that transported EmbalĂł “safe and sound” to Dakar demonstrates Senegal’s proactive role in crisis management. This maneuver not only secured the former president’s safety but positioned Senegal as a key player in subsequent negotiations.
Senegalese authorities maintained continuous communication with both political and military actors in Guinea-Bissau, facilitating not only EmbalĂł’s release but also working toward the freedom of other detained officials and ensuring the security of international missions. This behind-the-scenes diplomacy underscores the complex multilateral approach required in regional crisis management.
ECOWAS’s Institutional Response: Between Condemnation and Mediation
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) responded swiftly to the crisis through an extraordinary virtual summit on Thursday. The regional bloc firmly condemned the coup and demanded immediate restoration of constitutional order, continuing its pattern of rejecting unconstitutional changes of government that has defined its approach to regional security in recent years.
More significantly, ECOWAS announced the establishment of a mediation mission that will include Senegal as a key participant. This mission faces the delicate task of balancing condemnation with practical engagement, as it must simultaneously monitor regional decisions while maintaining dialogue with the very military leaders who orchestrated the takeover.
Historical Context and Regional Implications
The timing of this coup—occurring hours before the scheduled proclamation of November 23 presidential election results—follows a troubling pattern in West African politics where military interventions often exploit electoral uncertainties. Guinea-Bissau itself has experienced multiple coups since independence, with this latest incident marking the fourth successful takeover in its history.
General Horta N’Tam’s installation as transition president and his pledge to fight “vigorously” against drug trafficking introduces a familiar narrative in the region, where coup leaders often justify their actions by citing government corruption or external threats. His accusation that drug trafficking attempted to “capture Guinean democracy” echoes justifications used in other regional coups, though the validity of such claims remains contested among international observers.
The situation presents a critical test for regional stability and democratic consolidation in West Africa. As mediation efforts proceed, the international community watches closely to see whether diplomatic pressure can reverse another democratic setback in a region increasingly characterized by political instability and military intervention.
AC/Sf/APA
Source: APA