Former President Goodluck Jonathan has left Guinea-Bissau following the military coup that toppled the government in the West African country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Dr. Jonathan departed on a special flight alongside members of his delegation.

“Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is very safe and out of Guinea-Bissau. He left with a special flight with members of his delegation, including Dr. Ibn Chambas,” the ministry’s spokesperson, Mr. Kimiebi Ebienfa, said.

Dr. Jonathan, who chairs the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission, had been in the country monitoring last Sunday’s presidential and legislative elections before the military announced its takeover.

On Wednesday, military officers seized “total control” of Guinea-Bissau, suspended the electoral process, and shut the country’s borders, three days after the polls. In the early afternoon, Gen. Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, told journalists that a command “composed of all branches of the armed forces” had assumed leadership “until further notice”.

The officers arrested incumbent President Umaro Embaló, who had been widely expected to win the election.

On Thursday, the military appointed the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Horta N’Tam, as the country’s new leader for a one-year transition.

Nigeria on Thursday condemned the coup, calling for the immediate restoration of democratic governance. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed shock at the development and described the takeover as “unfortunate”.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria, in the strongest possible terms, condemns this act of military insurrection, which undermines democratic progress, constitutional order, and stability not only in Guinea-Bissau but across the West African sub-region,” Mr. Ebienfa wrote.

“This coup d’état represents a blatant violation of the fundamental principles of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which explicitly rejects any ascension to power through unconstitutional means.

“We stand in solidarity with the people of Guinea-Bissau and call for the immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order, the safety and security of all those detained, and full respect for the sanctity of democratic institutions,” he added.