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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially lifted all remaining sanctions against the Republic of Guinea and restored the nation to full membership status within the regional bloc.
The decision was announced in a communique dated January 28, 2026, following a meeting of the Mediation and Security Council at the level of Heads of State and Government.
The move marks the conclusion of a transition period that began after the unconstitutional change of government in September 2021.
The Council, chaired by Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, cited the successful conduct of the December 28, 2025, presidential election and the subsequent inauguration of Mamady Doumbouya as the democratically elected president on January 17, 2026, as the primary catalysts for the decision.
According to the communique, ECOWAS satisfied itself that the transitional authorities had fulfilled the “dynamic compromise” roadmap agreed upon in 2022. International observers from the African Union and ECOWAS provided positive assessments of the electoral process, describing it as peaceful and transparent.
The move formally ends the sanctions regime imposed after a military coup in September 2021. The Council commended the Guinean government and people for the peaceful electoral process and congratulated President Doumbouya, encouraging him to pursue policies fostering social cohesion and national unity.
ECOWAS also directed its Commission to develop initiatives to support Guinea’s post-transition reconstruction and peace consolidation efforts, while urging the new government to intensify national dialogue and consolidate democracy and the rule of law.
The decision marks a significant step toward normalizing Guinea’s relations with the West African community after a nearly four-year transitional period.
