Former President Goodluck Jonathan has disclosed that both Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara dispatched aircraft to evacuate him and his delegation during the military coup in Guinea-Bissau.
In an interview with journalists following his safe return, Jonathan explained that the Ivorian plane arrived first due to Côte d’Ivoire’s closer proximity to Guinea-Bissau and faster landing clearance facilitated by regional connections.
“I thank President Tinubu & President Ouattara. Both sent planes to evacuate us during the Guinea-Bissau coup. Côte d’Ivoire is closer & got landing permit faster due to regional ties. We asked Nigeria to stand down since the Ivorian plane had arrived,” Jonathan stated.
The former president expressed deep appreciation to both leaders for their swift response in ensuring the safety of his delegation during the political crisis.
Jonathan had been in Guinea-Bissau as head of the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission, monitoring the presidential and legislative elections held last Sunday.
His team was still carrying out its mandate when military officers announced they had seized control of government operations on Wednesday, abruptly halting the electoral process amid tensions over disputed results.
Responding to the coup, Jonathan joined other continental and regional observer mission leaders in condemning the military takeover. He described the action as a deliberate attempt to undermine the electoral process and subvert the will of Guinea-Bissau’s citizens.
The quick diplomatic intervention by both Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire ensured that Jonathan and other international election observers were safely evacuated from the country as the political situation deteriorated.
The incident highlights the risks faced by international observers working to support democratic processes in politically volatile environments, as well as the importance of coordinated regional responses to protect foreign nationals during crises.
Jonathan’s safe evacuation came as ECOWAS suspended Guinea-Bissau from all decision-making bodies and demanded the immediate restoration of constitutional order in the West African nation.
