ECOWAS Lifts All Sanctions on Guinea Following Doumbouya’s Election

ECOWAS has lifted all remaining sanctions on Guinea following the successful conduct of a constitutional referendum and the election of former junta leader Mamady Doumbouya as president. The bloc fully reintegrated Guinea into its decision-making bodies and urged the new government to promote national unity, social cohesion, and inclusive development despite ongoing concerns over civil liberties.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced the removal of all remaining sanctions imposed on Guinea following the 2021 military coup, marking a significant shift in the regional bloc’s stance toward the country. The decision was made public on Wednesday after ECOWAS reviewed recent political developments, including the conduct of a constitutional referendum and a presidential election that returned former junta leader Mamady Doumbouya to power through the ballot.
Guinea had faced a series of sanctions after Doumbouya led a coup that ousted President Alpha Condé in September 2021. Condé had been Guinea’s first democratically elected president, and his removal prompted ECOWAS to impose punitive measures aimed at pressuring the military authorities to restore constitutional order. The sanctions weighed heavily on the mineral-rich but economically fragile country, affecting its regional relations and access to certain financial and political platforms.
In February 2024, ECOWAS began easing its position by lifting restrictions on financial transactions involving its member institutions, signaling cautious approval of Guinea’s transition process. The bloc said its latest decision was influenced by the “successful holding” of a constitutional referendum in September, followed by a presidential election in December, which it viewed as key milestones toward a return to civilian governance.
In a statement, ECOWAS said it had decided to lift, with immediate effect, all residual sanctions against Guinea as well as against individuals associated with the 2021 coup. The bloc also announced Guinea’s full reintegration into all ECOWAS decision-making organs and regional activities, effectively restoring the country’s participation in West African political and economic affairs. ECOWAS further congratulated Doumbouya on his election as president.
Doumbouya was sworn in earlier this month in a ceremony attended by tens of thousands of supporters, alongside several African heads of state, underscoring his renewed legitimacy on the regional stage. Guinea’s Supreme Court validated his election victory, attributing his win to 86.7 percent of the vote, a result that consolidated his hold on power following the transition.
Despite these developments, Doumbouya’s rule since the 2021 coup has been marked by controversy. His government has imposed restrictions on civil liberties, banned public protests, and taken firm action against political opponents, many of whom have been arrested, prosecuted, or forced into exile. These actions have drawn criticism from human rights groups and opposition figures, even as the authorities argue they are necessary to maintain stability.
In its message accompanying the lifting of sanctions, ECOWAS encouraged Doumbouya to pursue policies that foster social cohesion, national unity, and inclusive prosperity for the Guinean people. The decision to fully lift sanctions reflects the bloc’s recognition of Guinea’s formal return to constitutional rule, while also placing responsibility on the new administration to address lingering concerns over governance, political freedoms, and long-term stability in the West African country.