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Former Nigerian President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has safely left Guinea-Bissau following Wednesday’s military coup that ousted the West African nation’s government, the Nigerian Government confirmed on Thursday.
Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told journalists in Abuja that Jonathan departed the country on a special flight, accompanied by members of his delegation, including former UN envoy Mohamed Chambas.
“Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is safe and has left Guinea-Bissau with members of his delegation, including Mohamed Chambas,” Ebienfa said.
Jonathan had been in Guinea-Bissau monitoring last Sunday’s presidential and legislative elections as head of the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission when the military announced it had seized power.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, former Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi, who led the African Union Election Observation Mission, Jonathan, and Issifu Kamara, head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, condemned the coup, describing it as an attempt to undermine the democratic process and the will of the Bissau-Guinean people.
They urged citizens to remain calm and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting peace, stability, and security during this sensitive period.
The Nigerian Government also strongly denounced the military takeover, warning that it posed a serious threat to democracy and regional stability. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “profound dismay and deep concern” over the coup, criticising it as an unconstitutional change of government and a breach of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
Guinea-Bissau was plunged into turmoil on Wednesday after military officers declared “total control” of the country, suspended elections, and closed borders. Heavy gunfire was reported near the presidential palace, and soldiers blocked major access routes. General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, stated that a command composed of all branches of the armed forces would lead the country until further notice.
The coup took place just a day before the official announcement of the results from a closely contested presidential election. Jonathan, Nyusi, and other election observers had been stranded as flights were cancelled following the military takeover.
