Nigeria grants asylum to Guinea-Bissau opposition candidate after coup

•Fernando Dias da Costa

 

Nigeria has granted asy­lum to Guinea-Bissau op­position presidential can­didate Fernando Dias da Costa and provided him protection at its embas­sy in the capital Bissau, following alleged threats to his life after a military coup.

 

In a letter dated Novem­ber 30 to the Economic Community of West Afri­can States (ECOWAS) Com­mission President Omar Touray, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar said President Bola Tinu­bu had approved protection for Dias.

 

“In this regard, it would be appreciated if you would kindly mandate the ECOWAS Stabilisa­tion Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB) to provide him protection and security while in the premises of the Nigerian embassy,” it said.

 

Nigeria’s decision to grant asylum and protect Dias reflects its “sover­eign responsibility and longstanding commit­ment” to regional peace, stability, and democratic governance, Alkasim Ab­dulkadir, Tuggar’s special assistant on media and communications strategy, said in a statement.

 

“Acting in the broader interest of de-escalation, Nigeria exercised its law­ful discretion to prevent further deterioration of tensions and to promote social cohesion in Guin­ea-Bissau and the wider West African sub-region,” he said.

 

Nigeria’s asylum offer followed an announce­ment on Wednesday by Guinea-Bissau military officers identifying them­selves as the “High Mili­tary Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Or­der,” who declared they had deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and seized power.

 

On Thursday, the High Military Command ap­pointed General Horta In­ta-A as transitional presi­dent for one year, following a bloodless coup amid con­tested claims of victory in the November 23 election.

 

General Horta Inta-A ap­pointed Finance Minister Ilidio Vieira Te as prime minister and formed a new government.

 

Both Dias and Embalo’s camps claimed victory in the election, as the coun­try awaited official results, which were due to be re­leased last week.

 

Embalo first fled to Senegal, then reportedly moved on to the Republic of Congo.

 

Nigeria expressed “pro­found dismay and deep concern” over the coup in a statement.