Nigeria Condemns Guinea-Bissau Military Takeover, Demands Immediate Return to Civil Rule

Nigeria has strongly condemned the military takeover in Guinea-Bissau, describing the action as a dangerous setback for democratic governance in the West African sub-region.

Military officers in the country on Wednesday announced they had seized power, suspended the electoral process, and assumed control “until further notice.” The intervention followed the disputed presidential election in which incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and his major challenger, Fernando Dias, both claimed victory even before official results were released.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep concern over the development, stressing that the coup was a direct affront to regional protocols.

Kimiebi Ebienfa, the ministry’s spokesperson, said the action “constitutes a brazen violation of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which forbids unconstitutional change of government.”

He added that Nigeria stands firmly with the people of Guinea-Bissau and demands “the immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order, the protection of all detained persons and full respect for democratic institutions.”

The ministry also urged the coup leaders to guarantee the safety of election observers still in the country, warning that those behind the takeover would be held responsible for any actions capable of plunging the nation into deeper instability.

Among those caught in the crisis is former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who is in Guinea-Bissau as part of a joint observer mission of the African Union (AU), ECOWAS and the West African Elders Forum (WAEF).

Nigeria reiterated its readiness to work with regional and international partners to ensure a swift return to normalcy and civil governance in the country.