The Government of The Gambia has issued a sharp condemnation of the military takeover in neighboring Guinea-Bissau, describing it as an “outright assault on democratic values” and a direct threat to the country’s fragile democratic progress.
In a strongly worded statement released today from Banjul, the Gambian government expressed “profound shock and deep concern” over the unconstitutional seizure of power, which occurred just days after Guinea-Bissau held presidential and legislative elections on November 23, 2025. Regional observers had widely praised the peaceful conduct of the polls.
“This blatant violation of shared democratic principles represents an unfortunate setback for Guinea-Bissau and the entire ECOWAS region,” the statement read, warning that the coup undermines years of hard-earned gains in constitutional governance across West Africa.
The Gambia called for the “immediate restoration of constitutional order” and urged all parties – including the military – to exercise maximum restraint and respect the democratic process. Authorities in Banjul emphasized that the will of Guinea-Bissau’s voters must prevail.
In addition, the government demanded that the security and fundamental rights of all citizens and foreign nationals in Guinea-Bissau be fully protected, specifically highlighting the safety of ECOWAS election observers and officials still present in the country.
Reaffirming its solidarity with the people of Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia stated it stands ready to support efforts to resolve the crisis peacefully. The statement concluded with a prayer for divine intervention to restore calm and unity to the troubled nation.
The coup in Guinea-Bissau marks yet another challenge to democratic stability in West Africa, where military interventions have surged in recent years. Regional bodies, including ECOWAS, are expected to convene emergency talks in response to the rapidly evolving situation.
