Jonathan Returns to Nigeria as AU, ECOWAS Condemn Guinea-Bissau Coup

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has safely returned to Nigeria alongside the leaders of the African Union Election Observation Mission, the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, and the West African Elders Forum, after expressing deep concern over the military coup in Guinea-Bissau.

His return came as the Federal Government of Nigeria strongly denounced the takeover, calling it an unconstitutional seizure of power that threatens regional stability.

President Bola Tinubu also joined an extraordinary virtual summit of ECOWAS Heads of State on Thursday to address the escalating political crisis in Guinea-Bissau, following Wednesday’s military intervention.

In a swift move, Guinea-Bissau’s military authorities named and inaugurated Army General Horta N’Tam—formerly head of the presidential guard—as the transitional leader for one year.

Jonathan, who was in the country as part of a joint AU–ECOWAS–WAEF election observation delegation, found himself stranded after the junta shut all land, air, and sea borders and imposed a nationwide curfew.

Earlier, Nigeria’s House of Representatives had urged the Federal Government to take urgent diplomatic steps to ensure Jonathan’s safe return.

The coup unfolded after both incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias declared themselves winners of Sunday’s presidential poll, even though official results were yet to be published.

In a joint statement signed by former Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi, Issifu Kamara, and former President Jonathan, the observer missions praised the peaceful conduct of the election and condemned the military for interrupting the democratic process.

“We commend the people of Guinea-Bissau for their strong civic engagement… Despite these encouraging developments, we express deep concern with the announcement of a coup d’état by the armed forces,” the missions said.
“It is regrettable that this announcement came just after our meeting with the two leading candidates, who pledged to respect the will of the people.”

They urged the AU and ECOWAS to take immediate steps to restore constitutional rule and called for the unconditional release of detained election officials.

Nigeria Calls Coup a Threat to Regional Stability

In a statement by Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, Nigeria said it received news of the coup “with profound dismay and deep concern,” warning that it severely undermines democratic progress in Guinea-Bissau. The government demanded a swift return to constitutional order.

Ebienfa later confirmed Jonathan’s safe evacuation:
“Former President Jonathan is very safe and out of Guinea-Bissau.”

Meanwhile, a civil society coalition in Guinea-Bissau, Popular Front, accused ousted President Embaló of engineering a “simulated coup” to prevent the announcement of election results if he lost.

ECOWAS Leaders Hold Emergency Meeting

President Tinubu joined other regional leaders via Zoom for an emergency session aimed at coordinating a diplomatic response. The meeting underscores ECOWAS’ determination to confront the growing wave of coups across West Africa.

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