ECOWAS welcomes transition measures in Guinea-Bissau

BISSAU, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in a communiqué issued on Friday in Abuja, welcomed recent measures taken by the transitional authorities of Guinea-Bissau, saying they are aimed at fostering an inclusive political environment and advancing the country's return to constitutional order.

The bloc said the developments were conveyed in a letter dated Jan. 29, 2026, from Horta Inta-A, President of the Transition, addressed to Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone and chairperson of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.

In the communication, the Bissau-Guinean authorities announced key actions including: the formation of an inclusive transition government, with three ministerial positions each allocated to the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde and the political group led by Fernando Dias Da Costa; the appointment of 10 representatives from the two political groups to the National Transition Council; the release of all political prisoners and improvement of the detention conditions of Domingos Sim?es Pereira, who has been transferred from central prison to house arrest; and the withdrawal of the request for the departure of the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau.

ECOWAS urged all stakeholders to work collaboratively in support of a peaceful and credible transition leading to democratic elections. It further called for the full and effective release of Pereira and guarantees of fundamental rights and freedoms for all citizens.

ECOWAS reaffirmed its continued support to the people of Guinea-Bissau.

Local media reported that Domingos Sim?es Pereira, who had been detained since Nov. 26, 2025, was released late Friday. Diplomatic sources told Xinhua that the release followed mediation efforts by a ministerial delegation from Senegal with the transitional authorities, and that he remains under house arrest. ■