Amid escalating political tension in Guinea-Bissau, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan was escorted out of the country by military personnel on Thursday following a sudden outbreak of unrest in the capital, Bissau.
Jonathan, who was in the country as part of a regional mediation effort under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), was reportedly asked to leave for his safety as armed confrontations intensified around key government installations. Military officers, acting on what sources described as a “security precaution,” transported the former president from his hotel to the airport under tight protection.
Details surrounding the political upheaval remain fluid, but early reports indicate that disagreements within the country’s ruling elite triggered a series of clashes between rival security factions. The government has not yet issued a formal statement on the circumstances that led to the military’s intervention or Jonathan’s evacuation.
ECOWAS officials confirmed that Jonathan is safe and has departed Guinea-Bissau. They emphasized that the regional body is closely monitoring developments and is prepared to support efforts aimed at restoring calm and stability.
Observers fear that the latest unrest could worsen Guinea-Bissau’s longstanding political fragility, raising concerns about the potential for broader regional implications if tensions are not swiftly contained.
