The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has lifted all remaining sanctions on Guinea, officially restoring the country’s full participation in regional affairs following the December election of former junta leader Mamady Doumbouya.
The West African bloc had imposed sanctions after Doumbouya seized power in a 2021 coup, ousting President Alpha Condé and sparking regional condemnation.
While some restrictions were eased in February 2024 to allow limited financial transactions with ECOWAS member institutions, Guinea remained partially isolated—until now.
In a statement on Wednesday, ECOWAS highlighted the “successful holding” of a constitutional referendum in September and last month’s presidential election as key factors behind the removal of all sanctions, including measures targeting individuals involved in the 2021 coup.
The bloc confirmed Guinea’s full reintegration into all ECOWAS decision-making organs and regional initiatives, while congratulating Doumbouya on his election victory.
Doumbouya, who assumed office earlier this month in a ceremony attended by tens of thousands of supporters and several regional leaders, toppled Guinea’s first democratically elected president and has since faced criticism for restricting civil liberties, banning public protests, and detaining or exiling political opponents.
ECOWAS encouraged the Guinean president “to pursue policies towards social cohesion, national unity, and the inclusive prosperity of the Guinean people.”
The Supreme Court of Guinea validated Doumbouya’s election win, reporting that he secured 86.7 percent of the vote, a result that ends Guinea’s regional isolation and formally restores its role within ECOWAS.
