𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐚-𝐁𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐮 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐩: 𝐉𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐭

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged ECOWAS to pressure the military authorities in Guinea-Bissau to release detained opposition candidate Fernando Dias da Costa and announce the country’s pending election results.

Jonathan made the appeal on Saturday after briefing President Bola Tinubu on the unfolding political crisis. He was evacuated from the country on Thursday after soldiers intervened before final tallies were concluded.

The former president, who was part of the joint AU–ECOWAS–WAEF monitoring team, warned that West Africa cannot continue the cycle of military takeovers and disputed elections.

He explained that former leaders engaged in regional assignments are expected to give direct reports to the Nigerian president ahead of any ECOWAS deliberation. Jonathan stressed that Guinea-Bissau’s election was nearly concluded and that the results are already known within the system.

He insisted that the will of voters must not be overshadowed by military pressure. According to him, ECOWAS leaders should engage the military junta in dialogue, emphasising that the detained opposition candidate committed no offence and should be freed immediately.

Jonathan argued that the winner should be announced and, if the military agrees, inaugurated as president to restore democratic order. He noted that the incident should not be trivialised, dismissing claims that it was a “palace coup.”

He accused President Umaro Embaló of orchestrating what he described as a “ceremonial coup,” adding that the region is exhausted by recurring instability and needs firm action to protect democratic processes.