Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Thursday, that the former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has been safely evacuated from Guinea-Bissau after a military takeover abruptly halted the nation’s electoral process.
The announcement was made by the Ministry’s spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa. He assured the public of the former leader’s safety.
“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,” Ebienfa told journalists in Abuja.
Jonathan had been in Guinea-Bissau as the head of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) Election Observation Mission, monitoring the presidential and legislative elections held on Sunday.
The crisis erupted on Wednesday when military officers declared “total control” of the country, suspended all electoral activities, and sealed its borders. Reports from the capital indicated heavy gunfire near the presidential palace and the blocking of key access routes.
General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, announced that a military command was “taking over the leadership of the country until further notice.” Incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo later confirmed in an international media interview that he had been deposed.
Prior to his evacuation, Jonathan joined other international observers in condemning the military’s action. In a joint statement with Filipe Nyusi, former president of Mozambique and head of the African Union Mission, and Issifu Kamara, head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, he labeled the coup a direct attempt to disrupt the democratic process.
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