Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has safely departed Guinea-Bissau following Wednesday’s military coup that overthrew the country’s government, the Federal Government confirmed on Thursday.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, told journalists in Abuja that Jonathan left the country in a special flight alongside 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 Mohamed Chambas,” Ebienfa said.
Jonathan, who led the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission, had been in Guinea-Bissau monitoring last Sunday’s presidential and legislative elections when the military announced it had seized power.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, Filipe Nyusi, former president of Mozambique and Head of the African Union Election Observation Mission; Issifu Kamara, Head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission; and Jonathan condemned the coup, describing it as a direct attempt to derail the country’s democratic process.
The three leaders appealed for calm and reaffirmed their collective commitment to supporting Guinea-Bissau “during this sensitive period,” underscoring the importance of preserving peace, stability and the well-being of its citizens.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government of Nigeria has also condemned the coup in strong terms, warning that it poses a serious threat to democracy and regional stability.
In a Thursday statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it learned of the development “with profound dismay and deep concern,” faulting the military takeover for effecting “an unconstitutional change of government in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.” It added that the action violates the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
Guinea-Bissau was thrown into turmoil on Wednesday after military officers declared “total control” of the country, closed national borders and suspended electoral activities. Heavy gunfire was reported near the presidential palace as soldiers barricaded major access routes.
General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, later announced that a command “composed of all branches of the armed forces” had assumed control of the country until further notice.
