Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has been escorted out of Guinea-Bissau by military personnel as unrest deepens after a military putsch in the country. Jonathan, who was in the country as part of an election observer mission for the AU, ECOWAS, and the West African Elders Forum, was taken under armed protection as tensions spiralled.
The military takeover followed Sunday’s disputed presidential election in which both incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias declared themselves winners despite the absence of official results.
READ ALSO: Elders, AU, ECOWAS condemn coup in Guinea-Bissau
In response to the escalating crisis, the House of Representatives urged the Federal Government to activate urgent diplomatic channels to ensure Jonathan’s safe return and secure other Nigerians trapped in Guinea-Bissau.
Soldiers later announced the suspension of the electoral process, closure of all land, air, and sea borders, and the enforcement of a nationwide curfew. The declaration came amid reports of sustained gunfire near key government institutions, including the election commission headquarters, the presidential palace, and the interior ministry.
Election results were expected on Thursday, but both leading candidates had already insisted they won the tightly contested vote.
Meanwhile, the BBC reported that Embaló had been arrested by armed men in Bissau, three days after the election that saw the main opposition candidate disqualified. Embaló later confirmed to Jeune Afrique that he was arrested while in his office at the presidential palace.
Also detained were the Armed Forces Chief of Staff, General Biaguê Na Ntan; Deputy Chief of Staff, General Mamadou Touré; and Interior Minister Botché Candé.
Embaló described the situation as a “coup d’état,” claiming it was orchestrated by the army chief of staff and that no force was used during his arrest.
