Jonathan evacuated safely after Guinea-Bissau coup, Nigeria and regional bodies condemn takeover

ABUJA – Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has been safely evacuated from Guinea-Bissau following a military coup that overthrew the country’s government, Nigerian officials confirmed on Thursday.

The announcement was made by Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who stated that Jonathan and his delegation departed on a special flight.

Jonathan was in Guinea-Bissau leading the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission to monitor last Sunday’s presidential and legislative elections. His mission was abruptly interrupted when military officers seized power on Wednesday, declaring “total control” of the nation.

In a joint statement, the heads of major international observation missions—including Filipe Nyusi (African Union) and Issifu Kamara (ECOWAS), alongside Jonathan—strongly condemned the coup. They described it as a “direct attempt to disrupt Guinea-Bissau’s democratic process” and appealed for calm, reaffirming their commitment to supporting the country during this volatile period.

Echoing this sentiment, the Nigerian government issued a separate statement expressing “profound dismay and deep concern.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the coup as an “unconstitutional change of government” and a serious violation of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, warning that it poses a significant threat to regional stability.

The coup plunged the capital into turmoil, with heavy gunfire reported near the presidential palace and soldiers blocking major roads. Incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo confirmed his ouster in a phone call with France24, stating, “I have been deposed.” He was reportedly held with other officials in a building at the military headquarters.

The military takeover occurred amidst a disputed election, with both President Embalo and his main opponent, Fernando Dias, having claimed victory. The military justified its actions by claiming it uncovered a plot involving “national drug lords” and weapon imports to “alter the constitutional order.”

While the country’s borders were reopened on Thursday, the situation remains tense. Guinea-Bissau, one of the world’s poorest nations, has a long history of political instability, having experienced four successful coups and several attempts since gaining independence.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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