Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who was safely evacuated from Guinea-Bissau, has arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.Jonathan departed Guinea-Bissau on Thursday following Wednesday’s military coup and the political instability that ensued. SaharaReporters had earlier reported that he was under military protection while arrangements were being made for his departure. He was later escorted out of the country by military personnel.
Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, told journalists in Abuja that the former President had left Guinea-Bissau and was “very safe and out of Guinea-Bissau.”Jonathan had been in the country as part of a joint election observer mission deployed by the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, and the West African Elders Forum (WAEF). He was placed under military protection as tensions escalated.
The military takeover followed a disputed presidential election in which both incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias declared themselves winners before official results were released. Soldiers subsequently announced the suspension of the electoral process, closure of borders, and imposition of a nationwide curfew.
Earlier on Thursday, SaharaReporters reported that the Nigerian House of Representatives had urged the Federal Government to ensure Jonathan’s safe return, calling for all diplomatic means to be deployed. The lawmakers also requested that other Nigerians trapped in Guinea-Bissau be assisted.
The coup deepened uncertainty after military officers declared “total control” of the country. Their announcement came after reports of gunfire near key government buildings, including the election commission, presidential palace, and interior ministry. The BBC reported that President Embaló had been arrested by armed men in Bissau, escalating concerns following the controversial election. He told Jeune Afrique that he was arrested on Wednesday, November 26, around 1pm at the presidential palace, describing the incident as a “coup d’état” orchestrated by the army chief of staff. Also detained were the Armed Forces Chief of Staff, General Biaguê Na Ntan; Deputy Chief of Staff, General Mamadou Touré; and the Interior Minister, Botché Candé.
Source: https://saharareporters.com/
