FG says Jonathan safe, evacuated from Guinea-Bissau after military coup

The federal government says former President Goodluck Jonathan is safe and has departed Guinea-Bissau after a military takeover in the country.

In a statement on Thursday, Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the ministry of foreign affairs, said Jonathan left the country on a special flight alongside members of his delegation.

“Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is very safe and out of Guinea-Bissau. He left on a special flight with members of his delegation, including Mohamed Chambas,” Ebienfa said in a terse message.

On Wednesday, military officers in the Portuguese-speaking country announced a takeover, suspended the country’s electoral process, and declared they would be in control “until further notice”.

Jonathan was one of 36 high-profile observers on the joint mission of the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) to monitor the presidential election.

Nigeria said it would work closely with partners to take all necessary measures to ensure the “swift return” to normality and constitutional governance in Guinea-Bissau.

“This coup d’état represents a blatant violation of the fundamental principles of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which explicitly rejects any ascension to power through unconstitutional means,” Ebienfa said in an earlier statement.

“We stand in solidarity with the people of Guinea-Bissau and call for the immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order, the safety and security of all those detained and the full respect for the sanctity of democratic institutions in Guinea-Bissau.

“The Nigerian government wishes to unequivocally call on the authorities in Guinea-Bissau to ensure and guarantee the safety of all election observers still in the country on official assignment.

“We warn that the perpetrators of this act will be held accountable for their actions, which threaten to plunge the nation into chaos and reverse the hard-won gains of its democracy.”