The Federal Government has confirmed that former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is safe and has departed Guinea-Bissau following Wednesday’s military coup that toppled the country’s government.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed this in Abuja, assuring Nigerians that Jonathan left the country aboard a special flight alongside members of his delegation, including former UN envoy Mohamed Ibn Chambas.
Jonathan had been in Guinea-Bissau leading the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission, monitoring the nation’s presidential and legislative elections held last Sunday, when soldiers abruptly announced that they had seized power.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, Jonathan, along with Filipe Nyusi, former president of Mozambique and Head of the African Union Election Observation Mission, and Issifu Kamara, Head of ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, strongly condemned the military takeover. They described it as a brazen attempt to derail Guinea-Bissau’s democratic transition.
The observers also appealed for calm, reaffirming their readiness to support the country “during this sensitive period,” while emphasising the urgent need to safeguard peace, stability, and the welfare of the Bissau-Guinean people.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has also condemned the coup in strong terms. In a statement on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it received news of the development “with profound dismay and deep concern,” describing it as an unconstitutional change of government and a clear violation of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
Guinea-Bissau descended into turmoil on Wednesday after soldiers declared they had taken “total control” of the state, shut the borders, and halted all electoral activities. Heavy gunfire echoed around the presidential palace area, while troops blocked key access routes.
General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, announced that a unified command comprising all branches of the armed forces would assume leadership of the country “until further notice.”
Speaking to France24 by phone, the incumbent president, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, confirmed the coup, saying, “I have been deposed.” AFP reported that he was being held inside a building near military headquarters along with the chief of staff and the interior minister.
Tensions had been high since Sunday’s polls, with both Embalo and opposition contender Fernando Dias prematurely declaring victory even before provisional results—initially due on Thursday—were released.
The military justified its action by alleging that it had uncovered a plot involving “national drug lords” and illicit weapons imports aimed at subverting the constitutional order.
Later on Thursday, military authorities announced the reopening of the country’s borders. “All borders are now open,” said General Lansana Mansali, Inspector General of the Armed Forces.
More than 6,700 security personnel, including members of the ECOWAS Stabilisation Force, had been deployed for the elections amid heightened political tension.
Guinea-Bissau, one of the world’s poorest nations, has endured chronic instability, witnessing four successful coups and several failed attempts since independence.
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