Tinubu Joins Urgent ECOWAS Summit As Gunfire Rocks Guinea-Bissau After Military Coup

According to Ireporter Online, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday joined an emergency virtual meeting of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government to deliberate on the rapidly deteriorating political situation in Guinea-Bissau following Wednesday’s military takeover. The extraordinary session, hosted via Zoom and attended by several West African leaders, was convened to address the unfolding crisis and chart a coordinated regional response.

A photograph shared by the State House Media Office showed President Tinubu participating in the high-level summit from Abuja. Reports indicate that Guinea-Bissau plunged into turmoil after military officers forcibly removed President Umaro Sissoco Embaló from power, sealed the nation’s borders, obstructed major access routes, and halted all electoral activities. Intense gunfire was said to have been heard around the presidential palace as soldiers moved to consolidate control.

The military later announced the establishment of a transitional administration to be led by General Horta Nta Na Man, who is expected to oversee the country for a one-year period beginning immediately. The declaration underscores the forceful shift in authority following the coup.

President Tinubu previously chaired the ECOWAS Authority for two consecutive terms before the leadership passed to President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone in June 2025. Thursday’s emergency gathering reflects the regional bloc’s renewed commitment to countering the resurgence of coups and safeguarding democratic governance across West Africa.