News:
May 8, 2026
A member of Guinea-Bissau’s delegation to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament has told reporters that his country is unable to present its national report, citing an ongoing self-styled coup and restrictions on elected lawmakers.
Manuel Nascimento Lopes, speaking on the sidelines of the 2026 First Ordinary Session in Abuja, questioned who would even be authorized to present such a report — suggesting it cannot come from the Conseil National de la Transition (CNT), the country’s National Transitional Council.
“Is it the CNT that will present the country report?” Lopes asked, pointing out that there is a self-staged coup in Guinea-Bissau.
According to Lopes, two of his five parliamentary colleagues have been prevented from leaving Guinea-Bissau to attend the session. He said they would likely be arrested as soon as they reach the airport.
“Stuck in Nigeria”
“We are only three here out of the five,” Lopes said in an interview. “Myself and another colleague cannot return to Guinea-Bissau — we are stuck in Nigeria. We will face drastic consequences upon landing in our country.
“Only one of our colleagues, a friend of the military junta, is entitled to represent Guinea-Bissau.”
Lopes added that while he is currently allowed to move freely in Abuja, the situation back home makes unified representation impossible.
“When we are five, shouldn’t all of us know what goes into the country report? It would be unacceptable to have just one person parading as the representative of Guinea-Bissau. That is impossible.”
No report from opposition or junta
Asked whether the parliament should accept separate reports from the opposition and the ruling junta — as some colleagues have suggested — Lopes rejected the idea.
“Guinea-Bissau cannot have any report from either the opposition or the ruling junta,” he said. “The CNT government is not recognized by the ECOWAS Parliament. How can they send a report?
“The person representing the junta is not from a party — that party has stopped existing. We were elected as five representatives, as ECOWAS MPs.”
Lopes stressed that any legitimate country report must be presented jointly by all five elected members in Abuja.
“No matter the situation, we cannot have someone on the side of the junta. We are on the side of the citizens. For us to present a report, we all have to be here.”
Ghana praised as democratic example
Lopes noted that other member states, including Ghana, Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Senegal, have successfully presented unified country reports — with lawmakers from both government and opposition working together.
“Ghana has become an example of democracy, not only in West Africa but across Africa,” he said.
“We should at least be given the opportunity to speak on why we cannot present our country report.”
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso / Ghanamps.com