Guinea-Bissau military escorts ex-Nigeria President Jonathan out of country

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has been escorted out of Guinea-Bissau by military personnel as confusion persists following the latest coup attempt in the country.

Jonathan was in the West African country as part of a joint election observer mission deployed by the African Union (AU), and ECOWAS. A military coup broke out on Wednesday which has forced the group to be moved under military protection as tensions escalated in the country.

The reports from Bissau is that military takeover occurred following a” stalemate.” The incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias declared themselves winners of Sunday’s presidential election, even while the official results were yet to be released.

Soldiers subsequently announced the suspension of the electoral process, closure of borders, and enforcement of a nationwide curfew.

Back in Nigeria, the House of Representatives had urged the Federal Government to ensure the safe return of Jonathan to Nigeria from Guinea-Bissau. The members also asked the Federal Government to rescue other Nigerians trapped in Guinea-Bissau.

On Wednesday, it was reported that military officers in Guinea-Bissau announced a takeover.

In a statement, the officers said they had ordered the “immediate suspension” of the electoral process, the closure of all land, air, and sea borders, and an overnight curfew “until further notice”.

The announcement came shortly after sustained gunfire was reported near the election commission headquarters, the presidential palace, and the interior ministry in Bissau.

The BBC reported on Wednesday that Embaló had been arrested by armed men in the capital, Bissau, deepening fears of instability following last week’s contested presidential election.

His arrest came three days after the vote in which the main opposition candidate was disqualified.

Also said to have been arrested were the Armed Forces Chief of Staff, General Biaguê Na Ntan; the Deputy Chief of Staff, General Mamadou Touré; and the Interior Minister, Botché Candé.