But he is not alone in the “unconstitutional change of government.” Junta leaders and elected civilians have perfected “constitutional and electoral coups” in Africa. Military coups are an aberration, but are not the only form of unconstitutional change of government rejected by ECOWAS rules. In contrast, after the junta has demanded the withdrawal of ECOWAS forces from Guinea-Bissau and shunned a regional military delegation, the estimated 500-strong ECOWAS Sustainability Support Mission (ESSMGB) are sitting ducks in that country with no clear directive from ECOWAS. The transitional Charter, adopted shortly after the coup, bars the junta leaders, including General Inta-A, from running in the transition election. ECOWAS requires urgent redemption and reinvention, and Nigeria should step up as the regional hegemon.
