ABUJA, Nigeria – Former President Goodluck Jonathan has described the recent military intervention in Guinea-Bissau as a “ceremonial coup” that pains him more than his historic 2015 election loss to Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking in an interview on Friday, Jonathan, who headed the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission in Guinea-Bissau, questioned the authenticity of the political crisis. He revealed that President Umaro Embaló himself announced the coup while reportedly using his phone to address international media – circumstances Jonathan described as highly unusual for a genuine military takeover.
“Specifically, what happened in Guinea-Bissau was not a coup. Maybe, for want of a better word, I would say it was a ceremonial coup,” Jonathan stated. “I feel more pained than the day I called Buhari to congratulate him when I lost as a sitting president.”
The former president charged the African Union and ECOWAS to immediately announce the election results, insisting they cannot be changed since international observers witnessed the collation process. He also demanded the release of opposition candidate Fernando Dias, stating he had “not committed any offence.”
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