The daily torch media
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has safely arrived in Abuja, Nigeria, after being evacuated from Guinea-Bissau in the wake of a military coup.
Jonathan, who was in the country on an ECOWAS mediation assignment, was caught up in the political turmoil that erupted late Friday when mutinous soldiers launched a coordinated attack on key government installations in Bissau, the capital.
According to sources within the regional bloc, ECOWAS swiftly activated an emergency extraction plan to ensure the safety of its officials. Jonathan, along with other members of the mission, was airlifted out of the country in the early hours of Saturday aboard a special flight arranged by the Nigerian Air Force.
On arrival in Abuja, the former president expressed gratitude for the swift intervention and emphasized the need for continued diplomatic efforts to restore democratic order in Guinea-Bissau. “This incident underscores the fragility of peace in the region and the importance of strong institutions and dialogue,” he said.
ECOWAS has since condemned the attempted coup and called for the immediate restoration of constitutional rule. The bloc is expected to hold an emergency summit in Abuja to address the situation and outline next steps for resolving the crisis.
