Nigeria has granted asylum to Guinea-Bissau opposition presidential candidate Fernando Dias da Costa following a military coup that blocked the announcement of election results.
Dias, 47, who ran for the Party for Social Renewal, was under protection at the Nigerian embassy after facing “threats made against” him, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar said. “The decision to accommodate Mr [Fernando Dias] da Costa in the Nigerian premises underscores our firm commitment to safeguarding the democratic aspirations and the sovereign will of the good people of Guinea-Bissau,” he added.
Dias had been the main challenger to incumbent Umaro Sissoco Embaló, who sought a second term but left the country after the military takeover. Both candidates had claimed victory in the November 23 election. Dias escaped from his campaign headquarters as armed men attempted to arrest him.
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The junta, which took power three days after the vote, has appointed Gen Horta N’Tam as transitional leader for one year, suspended the electoral process, and banned demonstrations. The electoral commission confirmed that computers and tally sheets were destroyed or confiscated by armed men.
Ecowas has sent a delegation to mediate with the junta and has suspended Guinea-Bissau from its decision-making bodies until constitutional order is restored. The motives behind the coup remain unclear, with some regional leaders suggesting it may have been staged to block election results.