By Uche Onyeali
Nigerian government has confirmed the safety of former President Goodluck Jonathan, saying he had left the troubled Guinea-Bissau after the military coup that overthrew the country’s government and suspended its national election on Wednesday.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja yesterday, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa said the former president left on a special flight with other delegates who were in Bissau to monitor the now botched election in that country.
“Former President Goodluck Jonathan is very safe and out of Guinea-Bissau. He left with a special flight with members of his delegation, including (former ECOWAS President) Mohamed Chambas,” Ebienfa said.
Jonathan led the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission to Guinea-Bissau to monitor last Sunday’s presidential and legislative elections before the military announced it had seized power.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, former President of Mozambique and Head of the African Union Election Observation Mission; Filipe Nyusi, Head of the Economic Community of West African States Election Observation Mission; Issifu Kamara and Jonathan condemned the coup, describing it as a direct attempt to disrupt Guinea-Bissau’s democratic process.
They appealed for calm among residents and reaffirmed their commitment to support Guinea-Bissau “during this sensitive period,” stressing “the importance of preserving peace, stability and the well-being of the Bissau-Guinean people.”
Also, the federal government condemned the coup, warning that it represents a serious threat to democracy and regional stability.
In a statement issued yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it learnt of the development “with profound dismay and deep concern,” faulting the coup for leading to “an unconstitutional change of government in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.”
It described the action as a violation of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
Guinea-Bissau was thrown into turmoil on Wednesday after the country’s military declared “total control” of the country, closed its borders and suspended electoral activities. Heavy gunfire was heard near the presidential palace and soldiers blocked major access routes.
Head of the presidential military office, General Denis N’Canha announced that a command “composed of all branches of the armed forces will take over the leadership of the country until further notice.”
In a phone call with France24, incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo said “I have been deposed.”
He was reportedly inside a building behind military headquarters “with the chief of staff and the minister of interior,” according to AFP.
