By Ed Malik, A /edmalik06@gmail.com
Stranded former Nigerian President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has been escorted out of Guinea-Bissau by military personnel following an alleged coup that has deepened the instability in the country.
According to recent reports, Jonathan was escorted out of Guinea-Bissau by military personnel after a coup disrupted the country’s election process.
The former Nigerian president, fondly called GEJ, who relinquished power after losing in a highly controversial election was globally celebrated for his statesmanship and has been a peace ambassador in the continent to crisis points. He was one of the 36 high-profile observers on the joint mission of the African Union, AU; the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, and the West African Elders Forum, WAEF, in Guinea-Bissau to monitor the presidential election held on Sunday.
The coup came just a day before official election results were due, after both main candidates, president Umaro Sissoco Embaló and challenger Fernando Dias, claimed victory even though no official results had been released.
Gunfire reportedly erupted near the presidential palace and the headquarters of the electoral commission in the capital.
The new junta, calling itself the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order,” installed a transitional leader, Horta Nta Na Man to lead for one year.
The takeover in Guinea-Bissau was announced by army officers who deposed the incumbent president after the election, suspended the electoral process, closed borders (air, land, and sea), and declared “total control.”
As flights and other exit routes were blocked after the coup, many in the observer delegation, including Jonathan, were initially reported stranded.