Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has been successfully evacuated from Guinea-Bissau and has arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Jonathan departed the troubled West African nation earlier on Thursday following Wednesday’s military coup and the escalating political tension in the country.
SaharaReporters had earlier revealed that he was placed under military protection while arrangements were made for his evacuation.
According to reports, Jonathan was escorted out of Guinea-Bissau by military personnel. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed to journalists that Jonathan had safely left the country, stressing that he “is very safe and out of Guinea-Bissau.”
Jonathan had been in the country as part of a joint election observer team from the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, and the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) when the crisis intensified.
The coup unfolded after both incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias simultaneously declared victory in Sunday’s presidential election, even though official results had not yet been made public. Soldiers responded by suspending the electoral process, sealing all borders, and imposing a nationwide curfew.
Earlier on Thursday, SaharaReporters reported that the Nigerian House of Representatives had called on the Federal Government to ensure Jonathan’s safe evacuation, urging authorities to activate all diplomatic channels to secure his return and assist other Nigerians trapped in Guinea-Bissau.
On Wednesday, military officers in Guinea-Bissau announced they had taken full control, plunging the country into another phase of political unrest. They halted the election process, shut land, air, and sea borders, and imposed a curfew “until further notice” shortly after heavy gunfire was heard around key government locations.
Election results from the contentious poll were originally expected on Thursday. The election pitted Embaló against challenger Fernando Dias, both of whom claimed victory.
Meanwhile, the BBC reported that President Embaló had been arrested by armed soldiers in Bissau, heightening fears of instability. His arrest came only days after the election, in which his main opponent had been disqualified.
Embaló later confirmed to Jeune Afrique that he was detained around 1pm on Wednesday at the presidential palace. Also arrested were the Armed Forces Chief of Staff, General Biaguê Na Ntan; Deputy Chief of Staff, General Mamadou Touré; and the Interior Minister, Botché Candé.
The outgoing president said no violence was used during what he described as a coup orchestrated by the army chief of staff.
