Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has safely exited Guinea-Bissau following the military coup that toppled the government of the West African nation.
Jonathan had been in the country leading the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) Election Observation Mission during last Sunday’s presidential and legislative polls.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Thursday that Jonathan departed aboard a special flight along with members of his delegation.
“Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is very safe and out of Guinea-Bissau. He left with a special flight with members of his delegation, including Ibn Chambas,” ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa stated.
Jonathan’s safe evacuation came shortly after Nigeria’s House of Representatives urged the Federal Government to ensure his protection in the wake of the coup.
Tensions in Guinea-Bissau escalated on Wednesday after military officers announced they had seized full control of the country.
In a briefing, General Denis N’Canha, who heads the presidential military office, declared that a command structure involving all branches of the armed forces had taken charge “until further notice.”
Borders were shut, and the electoral process was suspended just three days after citizens voted.
Incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, widely viewed as the frontrunner in Sunday’s elections, was detained.
By Thursday, the military named the army’s chief of staff, General Horta N’Tam, as interim leader for a one-year transition period.
Reacting to the development, the Nigerian government strongly denounced the coup, describing it as a major setback for democracy in the region.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep concern, calling the power grab “unfortunate” and contrary to the democratic norms enshrined in ECOWAS protocols.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria, in the strongest possible terms, condemns this act of military insurrection,” Ebienfa said, emphasising that such actions threaten stability in Guinea-Bissau and the wider West African sub-region.
Nigeria called for the immediate restoration of democratic governance and the release of all detained officials.
Regional and continental election observer groups, including ECOWAS, the African Union, and the West African Elders Forum, also voiced alarm over the coup.
In a joint statement signed by Jonathan, AU mission head and former Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi, and ECOWAS mission head Issifu Baba Braimah Kamara, the observers condemned the military’s actions.
They noted that the coup came just after they met with the two leading presidential candidates, both of whom had pledged to respect the outcome of the polls.
“We deplore this blatant attempt to derail the democratic process,” the statement read, urging ECOWAS and the AU to take necessary measures to help restore constitutional order.
