Guinea's president criticizes ECOWAS sanctions: They are not a solution and harm citizens.

Ahmed Salem

Guinea's President, Mamadi Doumbouya, stated that ECOWAS sanctions should only be used as a last resort.

According to him, the population is the main victim of these sanctions, particularly through the difficulties they face in accessing markets, medicines and some basic services.

In his remarks, he also called for reforming the governance of the regional organization, giving priority to dialogue, integration and economic development.

These statements come amid ongoing tensions between ECOWAS and the Sahel Alliance countries.

ECOWAS sanctions on African countries

In recent years, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has imposed sanctions on a number of countries in the region that have experienced unconstitutional changes of power.

The sanctions included: closing borders, suspending trade and financial exchanges, freezing assets, and suspending the membership of some countries within the organization, with the aim of pressuring for a return to constitutional rule.

These measures have drawn criticism from leaders of countries in the region, who believe that their effects have directly impacted citizens by disrupting trade, raising commodity prices, and making it difficult to access some basic services.

ECOWAS intensifies efforts to contain tension between Liberia and Guinea

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has intensified its efforts to contain the border dispute between Liberia and Guinea, by assigning a technical team to conduct an urgent assessment of the disputed areas along the border with Liberia’s Lofa County.

The decision was made during the 69th ECOWAS summit held in Lungi, Sierra Leone, and aims to provide a neutral technical assessment that forms the basis for reaching a permanent settlement to the border dispute between the two countries.

The regional organization also renewed its call for Guinea to withdraw its forces from the border area, in accordance with the tripartite statement issued on March 16, 2026, while urging both sides to continue dialogue to reduce tensions.

Promoting regional stability

In these efforts, ECOWAS is collaborating with the Mano River Union, the African Union, and the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), with the aim of promoting regional stability, supporting cooperation between countries, and reaching a peaceful resolution to border disputes in the Mano River corridor.

The organization affirmed that this initiative reflects its commitment to maintaining security and stability among member states, through the adoption of dialogue, diplomacy, and mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes.