The federal government has confirmed that former President Goodluck Jonathan is safe and has left Guinea-Bissau following a military takeover.
In a statement on Thursday, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said Jonathan departed on a special flight with members of his delegation, including Mohamed Chambas.
“Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is very safe and out of Guinea-Bissau”. Ebienfa said.
On Wednesday, military officers in the Portuguese-speaking country announced a takeover, suspended the electoral process, and declared they would remain in control “until further notice”. Jonathan was among 36 high-profile observers on a joint mission of the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) to monitor the presidential election.
Nigeria said it would work with partners to ensure a “swift return” to normalcy and constitutional governance in Guinea-Bissau.
“This coup d’état is a blatant violation of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which rejects any unconstitutional seizure of power”, Ebienfa said in an earlier statement.
“We stand in solidarity with the people of Guinea-Bissau and call for the immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order, the safety of all detainees, and full respect for democratic institutions”.
She added that Nigeria calls on Guinea-Bissau authorities to guarantee the safety of all election observers still in the country. “The perpetrators of this act will be held accountable for actions that threaten to plunge the nation into chaos and reverse the hard-won gains of its democracy”, Ebienfa said.
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