FG Says GEJ Is Safe, Out Of Guinea Bissau… Condemns Country’s Military Coup
By Bukar BOLORI
Nigeria’s Former President Goodluck Jonathan is very safe and out of Guinea-Bissau, the Federal Government has announced.
The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa made the announcement on Thursday.
He said: “He (President Goodluck Jonathan) left with a special flight with members of his delegation including, former President, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Ibn Chambas.”
Jonathan, who is the head of ECOWAS Election Monitoring Mission to Guinea Bissau, was reportedly stranded along with members of his team in the country when military suspended democratic process and took over government.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria’s government has condemned the military coup d’etat in Guinea Bissau.
The Nigerian government in a statement on Thursday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa said: “The Federal Government of Nigeria has learned with profound dismay and deep concern the unfortunate military coup which has led to an unconstitutional change of government in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria, in the strongest possible terms, condemns this act of military insurrection which undermines the democratic progress, constitutional order, and stability not only of Guinea-Bissau but of the entire West African sub-region. 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.
“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 statement added that: “The Federal Government of Nigeria unequivocally calls on the authorities in Guinea-Bissau to ensure and guarantee the safety of all election observers still in the country on official assignment.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria urges all actors involved to exercise utmost restraint, prioritize peaceful dialogue, and respect the will of the people of Guinea-Bissau as expressed through their ballots and the peaceful conclusion of the election with the announcement of results by the electoral management body.
“We warn that those behind 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.”
It further added that: “Nigeria, as a key member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, will work closely with our regional and international partners to take all necessary measures to ensure the swift return to normalcy and constitutional governance in Guinea-Bissau. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the promotion of democracy, peace, and stability across the African continent.”
