Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has been safely evacuated from Guinea-Bissau following the military coup that overthrew the government, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Thursday.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja, the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said Jonathan and members of his delegation departed the country without incident.
“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,” he said.
Jonathan had travelled to the country as head of the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission to monitor last Sunday’s presidential and legislative elections. His departure came hours after soldiers announced they had seized power.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, Jonathan; Filipe Nyusi, former President of Mozambique and Head of the African Union Election Observation Mission; and Issifu Kamara, Head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, strongly condemned the takeover.
They described the coup as “a direct attempt to disrupt Guinea-Bissau’s democratic process,” and urged citizens to remain calm. The observers reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the country “during this sensitive period,” emphasising the need to safeguard peace, stability and the well-being of the Bissau-Guinean people.
The Federal Government also rejected the development, warning that it threatens democratic norms and regional stability. In a separate statement on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it received news of the military action “with profound dismay and deep concern,” calling it “an unconstitutional change of government in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.”
The ministry added that the takeover violates the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
Guinea-Bissau descended into turmoil on Wednesday after military officers declared they had assumed “total control” of the state, closed its borders and suspended all electoral activities. Heavy gunfire was reported near the presidential palace, while troops blocked major roads across the capital.
General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, announced that a command structure “composed of all branches of the armed forces” had taken charge of the country until further notice.
Speaking to France24, embattled President Umaro Sissoco Embaló said, “I have been deposed.” He was reportedly sheltering in a facility behind the military headquarters “with the chief of staff and the minister of the interior,” according to AFP.
Both Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias had earlier declared victory in the elections, with provisional results expected on Thursday.
The military later accused unnamed actors of collaborating with “national drug lords” and importing weapons “to alter the constitutional order.”
On Thursday evening, military officials announced the reopening of the country’s borders. General Lansana Mansali, Inspector General of the Armed Forces, told AFP, “All borders are now open.”
