The Government of Nigeria has issued a stern condemnation of the coup d’état that occurred in Guinea-Bissau, insisting on the prompt reinstatement of democratic and constitutional governance in the West African nation. The military seizure of power took place on Wednesday, leading to the detention of the president along with several other senior officials.
In a statement made public on Thursday, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed its profound regret, characterizing the military intervention as “unfortunate.”
The spokesperson for the ministry declared that the Federal Government of Nigeria “in the strongest possible terms, condemns this act of military insurrection which undermines the democratic progress, constitutional order, and stability not only of Guinea-Bissau but of the entire West African sub-region.”
Nigeria stressed that the coup constitutes a “blatant violation of the fundamental principles of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which explicitly rejects any ascension to power through unconstitutional means.”
Nigeria expressed its full solidarity with the citizens of Guinea-Bissau, demanding the immediate and unconditional return to constitutional legitimacy, guaranteeing the safety and well-being of everyone currently detained, and upholding the inviolability of democratic institutions.
The government called upon all parties involved to “exercise utmost restraint, prioritize peaceful dialogue, and respect the will of the people of Guinea-Bissau” in the wake of the recently held election. The statement cautioned that the perpetrators of this action will face accountability for conduct that risks plunging the country into turmoil and undoing its hard-earned democratic achievements.
Nigeria committed itself to “work closely with our regional and international partners to take all necessary measures to ensure the swift return to normalcy and constitutional governance in Guinea-Bissau.”
On Wednesday, military officers in Guinea-Bissau announced that a command “composed of all branches of the armed forces, was taking over the leadership of the country until further notice.” At the same time, they halted the nation’s electoral process and sealed its borders, merely three days following the legislative and presidential elections. The incumbent President Umaro Embalo, who had been widely expected to emerge victorious in Sunday’s election, was placed under arrest.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
