Following the coup in Guinea-Bissau, the House of Representatives is urging the Federal Government to use all diplomatic means to secure former president Goodluck Jonathan’s release.
Jonathan is one of the African Union’s, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the West African Elders Forum’s joint mission to Guinea-Bissau to monitor the weekend’s coup-hit country’s presidential election.
According to sources within the presidency, work is still being done to secure the former president’s safe return.
The House also appeals to the Federal Government for help rescuing Guinea-Bissau’s imprisoned citizens.
They made the request during the Thursday plenary session, which was held the day after military forces took control of Guinea-Bissau.
Guinea-Bissau Rocked By Coup D’Etat, Electoral Process Suspended;
Three days after the West African country’s legislative and presidential elections, the officers suspended the country’s electoral process and restricted its borders.
General Denis N’Canha, the head of the presidential military office, announced to the media on Wednesday afternoon that a command “composed of all branches of the armed forces, was taking over the leadership of the country until further notice.”
Armed soldiers surrounded by armed soldiers seated at a table and allowing N’Canha to read the announcement.
Under the condition of anonymity, a senior officer reported to AFP that incumbent president Umaro Sissoco Embalo, who had been expected to win the election on Sunday, was “with the chief of staff and the minister of the interior.”
Later, Embalo claimed to have been detained inside the presidential palace.
General Biague Na Ntan, the interior minister, Botche Cande, and General Mamadou Traore, the deputy chief of staff, are also being detained.
Read more about ECOWAS’ and AU missions’ requests for the release of detainees in Guinea-Bissau.
Nigeria, AU, and ECOWAS Condemn Coup.
Concerns about the coup in Guinea-Bissau have been raised by election observers from the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, and the Nigerian government.
They called for the West African nation’s return to democracy and called for the coup in separate statements.
The observers expressed “deep concern” over the military’s announcement of a coup d’etat while the country was “waiting for the results to be announced.
Source: Channels TV
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