Nigeria has strongly denounced the military coup in Guinea-Bissau, describing it as a “blatant violation” of regional democratic norms and a serious threat to West African stability.
The coup was announced on Wednesday by military officers who suspended the constitution, dissolved state institutions, and declared indefinite military rule just days after the country held a presidential run-off election whose official results were still pending.
Incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and his main challenger, Domingos Simões Pereira, had both claimed victory amid rising tensions.
In a sharply worded statement issued Thursday, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “deep concern” and warned that the takeover undermines the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which explicitly prohibits any unconstitutional change of government.“
Nigeria stands in full solidarity with the people of Guinea-Bissau and demands the immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order,” the statement read.
It also called for the safety of detained individuals, protection of democratic institutions, and guaranteed security for all international election observers still in the country.
Among those reportedly stranded in Bissau following the coup is former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who led a joint high-level election observation mission deployed by the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, and the West African Elders Forum.
Nigeria vowed to work closely with ECOWAS, the AU, and international partners to ensure a swift return to civilian rule and warned that those responsible for the coup “will be held accountable” for actions that risk plunging the country into chaos.
The military takeover is the latest in a series of coups in West and Central Africa in recent years, raising fresh concerns about democratic backsliding in the region.
ECOWAS is expected to convene an emergency summit in the coming days to decide on sanctions and other measures.
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