Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to leave Guinea-Bissau soon as political instability worsens.
This is following the coup attempt that has plunged the West African nation into renewed uncertainty.
According to SaharaReporters, Jonathan, who was in the country as part of a joint election observer mission, is currently under the protection of the military as plans for his departure are finalised.
Jonathan was in Guinea-Bissau under a collaborative election monitoring deployment by the African Union, ECOWAS, and the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) when tensions erupted after both the incumbent president and the leading opposition candidate made premature victory claims.
Soldiers afterwards announced the suspension of the electoral process, sealing the nation’s land, air, and sea borders, imposing a nationwide curfew, and enforcing a curfew.
Earlier on Thursday, the Nigerian House of Representatives had urged the Federal Government to facilitate the safe return of Jonathan and other Nigerians stranded in Guinea-Bissau.
Lawmakers called on the Federal Government to activate diplomatic channels to evacuate the former president and rescue other citizens trapped in the country.
Recall that military officers had on Wednesday declared a takeover, disrupting national peace and triggering fears of prolonged unrest, days after a disputed presidential election.
In a statement, the officers said they had ordered “immediate suspension” of the electoral process, along with closure of land, air, and sea routes and curfew enforcement.
Sustained gunfire was reported near the election commission headquarters, the presidential palace and the Interior Ministry in Bissau, shortly before the planned announcement of official election results.
The presidential poll, held on Sunday, featured incumbent President Embaló and challenger Fernando Dias, both insisting they had won, although official results remained unreleased at the time of the coup attempt.
