The Nigerian government has condemned the military coup in Guinea-Bissau, calling for the restoration of constitutional rule after a group of army officials seized power in the West African nation.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the news of the takeover was received with “profound dismay and deep concern.”
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The ministry characterised the takeover as a clear breach of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, noting that the coup undermined the regional commitments member states have made to constitutional rule and political stability.
The regional agreement adopted in 2001 forbids any assumption of power through unconstitutional means.
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Gunshots were heard near the Guinea-Bissau electoral commission headquarters earlier on Wednesday before a televised announcement of a military takeover in the country.
A group of army officers who describe themselves as the “High Military Command for the Restoration declared that they are taking control “until further notice.”
The group of military officials stated they had removed President Umaro Embalo from power, halted the electoral process, closed the country’s borders, and would enforce a curfew.
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PREMIUM TIMES reported that the coup took place on the eve of the expected announcement of election results, which pitted incumbent President Umaro Embalo, representing Madem‑G15, against leading opposition candidate Fernando Dias, candidate of the Party for Social Renewal (PRS).
On Thursday, the Nigerian government demanded that the military commanders involved in the coup restore civilian authority without delay and respect democratic institutions.
“This coup d’état represents 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.
“We stand in solidarity with the people of Guinea-Bissau and call for the immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order, the safety and security of all those detained and the full respect for the sanctity of democratic institutions in Guinea-Bissau,” the statement read.
The government also requested guarantees for the safety of all detainees, as well as election observers who remain in the country after voting concludes.
The government urged the military officials to exercise restraint and allow the electoral commission to complete its work in line with the will of Guinea-Bissau’s voters.
It also “calls on the authorities in Guinea-Bissau to ensure and guarantee the safety of all election observers still in the country on official assignment.”
READ ALSO: ECOWAS, AU missions condemn coup in Guinea-Bissau
It urged “all actors involved to exercise utmost restraint, prioritise peaceful dialogue, and respect the will of the people of Guinea-Bissau as expressed through their ballots and the peaceful conclusion of the election with the announcement of results by the electoral management body.”
The Nigerian government warned that those behind this act will be “held accountable for their actions, which threaten to plunge the nation into chaos and reverse the hard-won gains of its democracy.”
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