Nigeria has declared its readiness to provide protection to the opposition presidential candidate of Guinea-Bissau, Fernando Dias, at its embassy in Bissau following a military coup that disrupted the announcement of election results. The offer comes amid pressure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the military, which seized power, to restore the country to constitutional order. This is reported by Reuters, writes UNN.
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Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that President Bola Tinubu approved the request for Dias's protection "due to an immediate threat to his life." Nigeria also appealed to the ECOWAS stabilization forces to deploy additional units to ensure the safety of the opposition politician.
During tense negotiations in Bissau, the ECOWAS delegation demanded the publication of the disputed election results and the restoration of democratic procedures.
ECOWAS demands the restoration of constitutional order, as well as the continuation and logical conclusion of the electoral process
He also clarified that the final decision on further actions will be made by the ECOWAS heads of state on December 14.
The military, who appointed Major General Horta Inta-a as interim president, claim that the coup was necessary "to prevent a conspiracy by drug traffickers." The junta has banned demonstrations and strikes in an attempt to maintain full control after mass protests in the capital.
Candidate Dias insists that he won the November 23 elections, and the opposition calls the coup an attempt by incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló to prevent the announcement of his defeat.
The situation deepens long-standing political instability in Guinea-Bissau – a country that for years has remained a key transit point for drug trafficking and an arena for frequent military interventions.