Summary
The House of Representatives is calling on the Federal Government to deploy every diplomatic channel necessary to facilitate the safe return of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who has been stranded in Guinea-Bissau following the sudden military takeover in the West African nation.
Jonathan had been part of a joint observer team representing the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the West African Elders Forum. The mission travelled to Guinea-Bissau to oversee the presidential election conducted over the weekend, but their stay was disrupted by the dramatic coup that unfolded shortly afterward.
In addition to requesting urgent steps for Jonathan’s evacuation, lawmakers are also pressing the government to ensure the safety and evacuation of Nigerians who are currently trapped in Guinea-Bissau as a result of the crisis.
The demand was raised on the floor of the House during Thursday’s plenary session, coming less than 24 hours after the country’s military abruptly assumed control. The officers halted the electoral process and shut the nation’s borders, escalating tensions just days after both legislative and presidential polls had taken place.
During a tense address on Wednesday, the head of the presidential military office, General Denis N’Canha, informed journalists that a military command “composed of all branches of the armed forces, was taking over the leadership of the country until further notice”.
N’Canha made the declaration from behind a desk, surrounded by heavily armed personnel.
At the time the coup was declared, incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, widely considered the frontrunner in the election, was reportedly inside a facility located behind military headquarters along with the chief of staff and the interior minister, according to a senior military source who spoke anonymously to AFP.
Embalo later announced that he had been taken into custody while inside the presidential palace. Several top officials were also detained, including the chief of staff, General Biague Na Ntan, the deputy chief of staff, General Mamadou Traore, and the interior minister, Botche Cande.
ECOWAS, AU, Nigeria Denounce the Military Takeover
Regional and international observer teams from ECOWAS and the African Union (AU), as well as the Nigerian government, have issued strong condemnations of the coup. In separate communications, they labelled the development unacceptable and demanded an immediate reinstatement of constitutional order.
The observer missions expressed “deep concern with the announcement of a coup d’etat by the armed forces, while the nation was waiting for the announcement of the results.”
They described the situation as particularly unfortunate, noting that the pronouncement came shortly after both leading presidential candidates had assured them of their readiness to honour the people’s choice.
“It’s regrettable that this announcement came at a time when the missions had just concluded a meeting with the two leading presidential candidates, who assured us of their willingness to accept the will of the people,” the statement read.
What you should know
Former President Goodluck Jonathan was in Guinea-Bissau as part of an international observer mission when a military coup abruptly disrupted the nation’s election process.
With the military claiming full control and detaining key government officials, Nigeria’s House of Representatives is urging the Federal Government to protect Jonathan and other stranded Nigerians.
Regional bodies including ECOWAS and the AU have condemned the coup and are calling for the restoration of democratic governance.
