The former president monitored Guinea-Bissau’s presidential and parliamentary elections as head of the West African Elders Forum Observation Mission.
Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has safely returned to Nigeria after being stranded in Guinea-Bissau following a military coup that disrupted the country’s elections.
Jonathan arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja late Thursday, two days after military officers took control of Guinea-Bissau, suspending the nation’s electoral process and closing its borders. He was welcomed on the tarmac by supporters and government officials.
The former Bayelsa governor was in Guinea-Bissau as head of the West African Elders Forum Observation Mission, overseeing the presidential and parliamentary elections alongside teams from the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Jonathan’s safety. “Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is very safe and out of Guinea-Bissau,” spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa said. “He left with a special flight with members of his delegation, including Ibm Chambas.”
Guinea-Bissau’s military seized “total control” of the country on Wednesday, placing President Umaro Embalo, who was favoured to win the election, under arrest. The army appointed General Horta N’Tam as the country’s new leader for one year.
The Nigerian government condemned the coup, calling for the immediate restoration of constitutional order. “The Federal Government of Nigeria, in the strongest possible terms, condemns this act of military insurrection which undermines democratic progress, constitutional order, and stability not only of Guinea-Bissau but of the entire West African sub-region,” Ebienfa said. “We stand in solidarity with the people of Guinea-Bissau and call for the immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order.”