Abuja, Nigeria – January 28, 2026 – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), under the chairmanship of Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, has officially lifted all remaining sanctions on the Republic of Guinea and reinstated the country as a full participant in regional decision-making bodies, marking the successful conclusion of a multi-year transitional process toward democracy.
In a communique issued by the ECOWAS Commission following a meeting of the Mediation and Security Council at the level of Heads of State and Government, the regional bloc congratulated His Excellency Mamady Doumbouya on his election and inauguration as President of Guinea. The statement highlighted Guinea’s commitment to pursuing policies that promote social cohesion, national unity, and inclusive prosperity for its people.
Key decisions outlined in the communique include:
– The immediate lifting of all residual sanctions against Guinea and individuals involved in the transition process.
– Full reintegration of Guinea into all ECOWAS decision-making organs and regional integration activities.
– Encouragement for the Guinean government to leverage the restoration of constitutional order by intensifying national dialogue among all stakeholders, aiming to foster greater inclusivity, social cohesion, and national consensus in the lead-up to legislative elections.
– A call for the government to intensify efforts in consolidating democracy, good governance, the rule of law, and economic and social development.
– Commendation of the ECOWAS Commission for accompanying the Guinean transition process to a successful conclusion and directing the Commission to develop initiatives supporting the people of Guinea in their reconstruction and peace consolidation efforts.
– Recognition of His Excellency Boni Yayi, former President of Benin, for his mediation efforts in Guinea.
– Commendation of the African Union, the United Nations, and other partners for accompanying the transition process.
– Encouragement for ECOWAS Member States, the African Union, the United Nations, and all international partners to continue supporting stabilization, consolidation of democracy, and sustainable development in Guinea.
– Remaining actively seized of the situation in Guinea.
The communique also referenced prior ECOWAS protocols and decisions, including Article 45 of Protocol A/SP1/12/01 on Democracy and Good Governance, and Article 12 of Supplementary Act A/SP.13/02/12. It recalled extraordinary sessions of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held on September 8, 2021; September 16, 2021; February 18, 2022; July 9, 2023; and an ordinary session on July 2023.
Notably, the statement noted Guinea’s adherence to a dynamic compromise for a 10-point, 24-month transition roadmap endorsed on December 6, 2022, and subsequent updates. The Transitional Authorities committed to restoring constitutional order by the end of 2025, demonstrated by a successful Constitutional Referendum on September 21, 2025, followed by a Presidential election on December 28, 2025. ECOWAS praised the positive conduct of these elections, observed by missions from ECOWAS, the African Union, and other independent groups.
The regional body expressed satisfaction with the demonstrable commitment by the Transitional Authorities to implement an agreed transitional roadmap without prejudice to the provisions of the 2012 Supplementary Act. It extended commendation to the Government and people of Guinea for conducting a peaceful Presidential election on December 28, 2025, and the inauguration of a democratically elected President on January 17, 2026.
President Julius Maada Bio, who chairs the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, shared the developments on social media, stating: “Today, at the level of the Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS’s Mediation and Security Council, several key decisions were made concerning the Republic of Guinea. Notably, all residual sanctions imposed on the Republic of Guinea and individuals involved in the transitional process have been lifted with immediate effect. Moreover, the Republic of Guinea is now fully integrated in all ECOWAS decision-making organs and regional integration activities of the Community.”
This move signals a new chapter for Guinea, which has been under transitional governance since a military coup in September 2021. Regional observers view the lifting of sanctions as a boost to Guinea’s economic recovery and regional cooperation, with calls for continued international support to ensure long-term stability and development.
