•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.
