ECOWAS defence chiefs deny bribery allegations during Guinea-Bissau mission

The ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS) has rejected allegations that members of its delegation were involved in or subjected to bribery during an official mission to Guinea-Bissau.

The allegations, which circulated in sections of the media and on social media, claimed that members of the ECOWAS delegation encountered an attempted bribery incident during their visit to the country between June 19 and June 23.

However, the regional body says no such incident occurred during the mission and insists that the claims are false and unsupported by evidence.

In a statement dated June 24, the Committee dismissed the allegations and defended the conduct of its delegation.

"The CCDS categorically rejects these allegations as entirely false, unfounded and without any factual basis," the statement read in part.

According to the Committee, no member of the delegation was approached with, offered or involved in any form of bribery or improper inducement during the visit.

It added that no complaint, report or evidence relating to the allegations was brought to the attention of the delegation, the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB) or the hotel where the delegation stayed.

The Committee noted that both Guinea-Bissau's Transitional National Council and the management of the Bissau Royal Hotel had publicly denied the allegations.

The hotel, according to the statement, confirmed that no complaint was lodged by the delegation and that its stay and official engagements proceeded without incident.

"At no time during the mission was any member of the delegation approached with, offered, or involved in any act of bribery or improper inducement," the Committee stated.

The CCDS said the mission achieved its intended objectives, including consultations with Guinea-Bissau authorities and other stakeholders on the revised mandate of the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in the country.

Discussions also focused on the mission's operational requirements, the planned drawdown and withdrawal process, and broader issues relating to peace, security and stability in Guinea-Bissau.