ECOWAS suspends Guinea's membership over coup

Accra (Ghana), September 9: The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) suspended the membership of Guinea, which has been gripped by a military coup, said a communique issued by the ECOWAS late Wednesday.
The decision was made at a virtual meeting of the organization, convened by ECOWAS Chairman Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to discuss the political developments in Guinea.
"The authority expressed deep concern over the political developments in the Republic of Guinea following the coup d'etat of Sept. 5, 2021 and their consequences for regional peace and stability," the communique said.
The regional bloc demanded the immediate restoration of civilian rule in Guinea, adding that the "defense and security forces should maintain a constitutional posture."
It reaffirmed its strong opposition to any political change by unconstitutional means and condemned, in the strongest terms, this coup in Guinea.
The communique added that an ECOWAS mission led by Ghanaian Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey with representatives from Nigeria, Burkina Faso and the ECOWAS Commission would visit Guinea on Thursday.
On Sunday, Mamady Doumbouya, a lieutenant-colonel, announced that his forces arrested Guinea's President Alpha Conde and dissolved the government and national institutions.
Source: Xinhua