Sierra Leone President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, has announced that Guinea Bissau’s ousted President, Umaru Sissoco Embalo, has been relocated from Senegal to Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo.

Bio said Embalo’s arrival in Brazzaville was confirmed on Saturday, following earlier reports that he had been moved to Senegal after his release by the Guinea Bissau military.

Congolese government sources have also reportedly confirmed Embalo’s arrival in the country. The former leader was taken to Senegal on Thursday shortly after the military in Guinea Bissau declared it had taken “full control” of the state, effectively removing him from power.

According to ECOWAS officials, Embalo’s safe evacuation was facilitated by the swift intervention of the Mediation and Security Council summit of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government. The regional body acted quickly in response to the deteriorating political situation in Guinea Bissau.

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President Bio also held a phone conversation with United Nations Secretary General António Guterres as efforts to resolve the crisis continued. Both leaders emphasized the need to restore constitutional order in Guinea Bissau and re-establish the electoral process. Guterres assured Bio of the UN’s commitment to support the mediation process.

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tim Kabba, said in a social media post that President Bio is engaging regional stakeholders, international partners and the Transition Government in Guinea Bissau to help return the country to constitutional rule.

Kabba, who serves as Chairman of the Executive Council of ECOWAS, added that he is also working with the UN Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council to reinforce the mediation efforts led by President Bio.

Meanwhile, developments inside Guinea Bissau continue to unfold. The country’s army has announced its Chief of Staff, General N’tam, as the new leader for a one-year transitional period as the political situation remains under close regional and international observation.