Former President Goodluck Jonathan has briefed President Bola Tinubu on the ongoing political crisis in Guinea-Bissau, following a disputed presidential election and a subsequent military takeover.

 

The military seized power in Guinea-Bissau last Wednesday, just days after the country’s controversial presidential and legislative elections. In the aftermath, the military suspended the electoral process, closed the nation’s borders, and halted the announcement of election results.

 

Jonathan, who led the West African Elders Forum, WAEF, Election Observer Mission to Guinea-Bissau, met with President Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Saturday to provide a detailed, first-hand account of the situation.

 

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Jonathan explained that, as a former president and WAEF mission leader, it was customary for him to brief the sitting president on such developments. He emphasized that providing accurate, up-to-date information would help Tinubu better represent Nigeria’s interests at the upcoming Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, summit.

 

“In ECOWAS, after such assignments, it is customary to brief the president so that leaders receive first-hand information,” Jonathan said.

The former president confirmed that the vote tallying in Guinea-Bissau had been completed, underscoring the need for the official announcement of the election results. He urged ECOWAS leaders to engage with the military authorities in Guinea-Bissau, calling for the restoration of constitutional order.

 

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Jonathan also suggested that, if the military agrees, the declared winner of the election should be inaugurated. He stressed the importance of resolving Africa’s recurring political crises through peaceful dialogue rather than military intervention.

In his briefing, Jonathan also called for the immediate release of Fernando Diaz, the opposition candidate who has been detained by the military. Jonathan stated that Diaz had not declared himself the winner of the election and therefore should not have been arrested.

 

“There was no reason to arrest him. He didn’t proclaim himself president. They should free him and announce the results,” Jonathan asserted.

Describing the military takeover as a “ceremonial coup,” Jonathan emphasized that it was not an attempt to seize power but rather an unfortunate disruption of the democratic process. He reiterated the need for ECOWAS to engage diplomatically with the military to restore peace without resorting to violence.

 

“We don’t want any more negative stories coming out of Africa. This was not a palace coup, and we don’t want to push out the military by force. People will die. ECOWAS should engage them. They know the right thing to do,” Jonathan concluded.

 

SOURCE: CHANNELS