Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has safely returned to Abuja after a swift evacuation from Guinea-Bissau, where he was trapped following a military coup that erupted just days after the nation’s presidential and legislative elections.
Jonathan, who was heading the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) Election Observation Mission, arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday night. Viral video footage showed the former president descending the stairs of a Guinea-Bissau government aircraft to a warm reception from supporters.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the safe departure earlier on Thursday, stating: “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.”
The military action, which began on Wednesday, halted the fragile democratic process in Guinea-Bissau. Jonathan’s team was still carrying out its observation assignment when heavy gunfire was reported near the presidential palace, and soldiers quickly barricaded key access points across the capital.
General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, announced that a command “composed of all branches of the armed forces” had assumed control of the country “until further notice.”
Incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, who along with opposition candidate Fernando Dias had claimed victory in Sunday’s polls, confirmed to France24 that he had been deposed. The provisional election results were originally expected on Thursday.
The military justified the takeover by claiming they had uncovered a plot involving “national drug lords” and the importation of weapons intended “to alter the constitutional order.”
Following the outbreak of the crisis and reports that Jonathan was trapped, the Nigerian House of Representatives, during its Thursday plenary, urged the Federal Government to deploy all diplomatic channels to secure the former president’s safe return.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, Jonathan, alongside Filipe Nyusi (former president of Mozambique and head of the African Union Election Observation Mission) and Issifu Kamara (head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission), unequivocally condemned the coup, describing it as a direct attempt to derail Guinea-Bissau’s democratic trajectory.
Despite the initial chaos, the military announced the reopening of the country’s borders by Thursday. General Lansana Mansali, Inspector General of the Armed Forces, told AFP, “All borders are now open,” as the junta moved to consolidate its power.
