Nigeria condemns military coup in Guinea-Bissau, demands immediate restoration of democracy
Guinea-Bissau
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed “profound dismay and deep concern” over the recent military coup in Guinea-Bissau that led to an unconstitutional change of government.
The Nigerian government condemned the insurrection as an act that “undermines the democratic progress, constitutional order, and stability not only of Guinea-Bissau but of the entire West African sub-region.”
In a statement Signed on Thursday, by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria emphasised its commitment to regional democracy, warning 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.”
Nigeria also called on the coup leaders to ensure the “immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order,” and urged protection for “all election observers still in the country on official assignment.”
As a key member of ECOWAS and the African Union, Nigeria pledged to collaborate with regional and international partners to “take all necessary measures to ensure the swift return to normalcy and constitutional governance in Guinea-Bissau.”
The statement concluded with a call for peaceful dialogue and respect for the democratic will of the people, stressing the importance of adhering to the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which “explicitly rejects any ascension to power through unconstitutional means.”
The release further affirmed Nigeria’s “unwavering commitment to the promotion of democracy, peace, and stability across the African continent.”
