The Federal Government has confirmed that former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is safe and has departed Guinea-Bissau following the military coup that overthrew the country’s government.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, revealed this in Abuja during an interview with journalists.
According to him, “Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is very safe and out of Guinea-Bissau. He left on a special flight alongside members of his delegation, including Mohamed Chambas.”
Jonathan had been in Guinea-Bissau as the head of the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission, monitoring Sunday’s presidential and legislative elections before the military announced it had taken control of the country.
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In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, Filipe Nyusi, the former President of Mozambique and Head of the African Union Election Observation Mission, Issifu Kamara, the Head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, and Jonathan strongly condemned the coup. They described it as an attempt to derail Guinea-Bissau’s democratic process and appealed for calm among citizens. They also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the nation “during this sensitive period,” stressing the need to preserve peace, stability, and the well-being of the people.
The Federal Government also condemned the coup, expressing “profound dismay and deep concern” over what it called an unconstitutional change of government and a violation of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
Guinea-Bissau was thrown into chaos on Wednesday after military officers declared they had taken “total control” of the country, shut its borders, and suspended all electoral activities. Reports indicated heavy gunfire near the presidential palace, with soldiers blocking key routes in the capital.
General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, announced that a command made up of all branches of the armed forces had assumed leadership of the country “until further notice.”
Speaking to France24 via phone, incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo confirmed, “I have been deposed.” AFP also reported that Embalo was inside a building behind military headquarters with the chief of staff and the interior minister when the coup unfolded.
Both Embalo and opposition candidate Fernando Dias had earlier claimed victory in Sunday’s elections, with provisional results expected shortly before the coup.
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The military alleged it uncovered a plot involving “national drug lords” and an attempt to smuggle weapons into the country to distort the constitutional order.
Later on Thursday, the military announced that all borders had been reopened. General Lansana Mansali, Inspector General of the Armed Forces, confirmed the development to AFP.
Over 6,700 security personnel, including the ECOWAS Stabilisation Force, had been deployed for the elections amid high political tension. Guinea-Bissau, one of the poorest nations in the world, has a history of instability, marked by four successful coups and numerous failed attempts since gaining independence.
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