The Federal Government has confirmed that former President Goodluck Jonathan has been successfully flown out of Guinea-Bissau following a sudden military takeover in the country.
Jonathan, who was in the West African nation heading an election observation team, became stranded after soldiers seized control just as officials prepared to announce the election results.
It was earlier reported that the airport and all land borders were shut by the military, preventing Jonathan and several other international observers from leaving.
Amid growing concern, the House of Representatives had called on the government to guarantee the safety and return of the former Nigerian leader.
Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced on Thursday that Jonathan and his team had departed on a special flight arranged for their evacuation.
“Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is very safe and out of Guinea-Bissau. He left on a special flight with members of his delegation, including Mohamed Chambas,” Ebienfa said in a terse message.
Jonathan, along with Filipe Nyusi, former president of Mozambique and head of the African Union Election Observation Mission, and Issifu Kamara, who led the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, had earlier condemned the coup. In their joint statement on Wednesday, they described the development as a direct attempt to undermine the country’s democratic process.
The group urged residents to remain calm and reiterated their commitment to supporting Guinea-Bissau “during this sensitive period,” stressing “the importance of preserving peace, stability, and the well-being of the Bissau-Guinean people.”
Post A Comment: