State broadcaster, TGB, reported that General Horta Inta-A is to serve as transitional president for a one-year period.

Much remains unclear about the balance of power in the country and the circumstances surrounding the alleged coup, days after presidential elections.

Eyewitnesses told dpa that the streets of the capital, Bissau, were deserted, while soldiers were deployed at key locations across the city.

A day earlier, a group of officers said they had taken power in the tropical nation of around 2.2 million people.

They said the military uncovered a plan to rig the elections and destabilise the country, involving politicians and a drug lord.

Guinea-Bissau is an important hub for cocaine smuggling between Latin America and Europe.

The now deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embaló reportedly told a French media outlet that he was detained by the military.

However, he said he had not been harmed.

The military is also said to have detained Embaló’s challenger, Fernando Dias.

Both Embaló and Dias had declared themselves the winner after Sunday’s presidential election.

The results have not yet been published.

Guinea-Bissau has experienced several coups and coup attempts since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974.

The military has been heavily involved in politics for many years.

Former General Embaló has been in power since 2020 and dissolved parliament at the end of 2023.

He has spoken several times in the past about coup attempts against him, most recently in October.

Source: dpa/NAN

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According to Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Tinubu would arrive in Bissau on Thursday for the ceremony, which would be hosted by President Umaro Sissoco Embalo.

Guinea-Bissau marked its 50th Independence Anniversary on September 24, 2023, but the government scheduled all celebrations for November 16, 2023.

The president is expected to return to Nigeria on Thursday.

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His emergence was announced on Sunday at the 63rd ordinary session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS.

The Nigerian president takes over from President Umaro Embalo of Guinea Bissau.

Tinubu, who is the latest entrant into the exclusive club of Heads of State in West Africa, enthusiastically accepted the honour, on behalf of Nigeria, with a solemn pledge to bear the responsibility of the office and run an inclusive administration of the regional organisation.

The Nigerian leader, however, warned that the threat to peace in the sub-region had reached an alarming proportion with terrorism and emerging pattern of military takeover that now demand urgent and concerted actions.

He said insecurity and creeping terrorism were stunting the progress and development of the region.

President Tinubu called for a collective action from member-states, pledging that under his leadership, frameworks would be harmonized to actualize the dreams of ECOWAS.

READ ALSO: ECOWAS summit: Tinubu leaves for Guinea-Bissau Saturday

“On peace and security, the threat has reached an alarming level, and needs  urgent actions in addressing the challenges. Indeed, without a peaceful environment, progress and development in the region will continue to remain elusive. In this regard, we must remain committed to the utilisation of all regional frameworks at our disposal to address the menace of insecurity,” he declared.

President Tinubu noted that ECOWAS had developed a security architecture, which he noted, “covers a wide range of areas that involved kinetic and non-kinetic operations, including preventive diplomacy. There is also the Regional Plan of Action on Fight against Terrorism 2020-2024 as well as the operationalization of the ECOWAS Standby Force on Fight Against Terrorism.

“I will ensure that we immediately harmonize these plans and mobilize resources as well as the political will towards the actualisation of the initiatives. As terrorists do not respect boundaries, we must work collectively to have an effective regional counterterrorism measure,” the president further stated.

On his emergence as chairman on his first participation at the summit, having just started out as the elected leader of Nigeria, President Tinubu stated that he was humbled and honoured by the trust to assume the leadership of the regional body, pledging his commitment to serve the interest of the community.

He said: “Indeed, I’m humbled and honored by this trust, and want to assure you of my unalloyed commitment to provide the necessary leadership with dedication to serve the interest of the community.”

To underscore his commitment towards regional integration, the Nigerian president declared that he would prioritize political stability, peace and security, regional economic integration and strengthening of the ECOWAS institutions, declaring that democracy and good governance remained the abiding cornerstone of peace and sustainable development.

While decrying the emerging pattern of coup d’etat in West Africa where soldiers have toppled the popular mandate of the people through barrel of guns, President Tinubu charged ECOWAS to stand firm in defence of democracy.

“We must stand firm on democracy. There is no governance, freedom and rule of law without Democracy. We will not accept coup after coup in West Africa again. Democracy is very difficult to manage but it is the best form of government.

“There is no one here among us who did not campaign to be a leader. We didn’t give our soldiers resources, we didn’t invest in them, in their boots, in their training to violate the freedom of the people. To turn their guns against civil authorities is a violation of the principles upon which they were hired which is to defend the sovereignty of their nations. We must not sit in ECOWAS as toothless bulldogs,” the president warned.

On political stability, he said: “You will all agree with me that democracy and good governance are the cornerstones of peace and sustainable development of every society. I’m fully committed to deepening democracy and good governance in the region.

“We must strengthen our democratic institutions and ensure the respect for human rights and the rule of law. I will enhance engagements with the countries in transition to ensure their quick return to democratic rule.”

The new ECOWAS chairman called for improved private sector participation in the effort towards the economic development of Member States as well as their social integration.

“We would work collectively to pursue an inclusive economic integration, which will be significantly private sector driven, in order to unlock the vast economic potentials of our region. We would actively promote trade, investment, and business cooperation among Member States by addressing the barriers impeding intra-regional trade, as well as creating a conducive business environment.

“We must encourage economic partnerships to raise the level of trade and investments in our region, hence facilitating employment creation and sustainable development and prosperity for our citizens.

“To this end, we must look inward and work with our regional economic facilitation platforms such as the Federation of West of West Africa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FEWACCI) as well as ECOWAS Trade Organisation Network to attain our desired goals,” he said further.

President Tinubu assured the regional leaders of the immediate implementation of his vision for the body, declaring that:

“In furtherance of my vision for our region’s economic recovery and growth, Nigeria intends to convene an ECOWAS Extra Ordinary Summit on Trade and Investment in October 2023.

“The event will provide opportunity for Member States to showcase their potentials and encourage match-making, in order to evolve business cooperation among the various organized private sector within the region,” he added while calling for the strengthening of the institutions of the body.

“In the area of strengthening our organisations institutions and ensuring effective performance, we underscore the need for the conclusion of the on-going institutional reforms of the organization.

“Given that Community Levy remained the biggest source of generating funds to run our organization, we must ensure that our citizens being taxed must be positively impacted by the programmes and projects of ECOWAS. This is in line with the shift of ECOWAS slogan from “ECOWAS of State” to “ECOWAS of People,” the Nigerian president emphasised.

He appreciated the Authority of Heads of States and citizens of the community for trusting him to lead the West African body.

President Tinubu said: “Your Excellencies, let me conclude by once again deeply appreciating the Authority of Heads of State and the citizens of the Community for your trust in me. Together, we can shape a brighter future of shared values of peace, democracy, and economic prosperity of our region.”

In his welcome address, the outgone ECOWAS chairman and President of Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco Embalo saluted his fellow leaders for sustaining the vision of the organisation despite the global economic headwinds and trouble spots within the region.

He cited Mali, Burkina Faso and Republic of Guinea as countries where the constitutional order had been distorted while congratulating Nigeria and Sierra Leone for sustaining constitutional order through democratic process with the recent successful elections.

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The Special Adviser to the President, Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Mr. Dele Alake, made this known to State House Correspondents on Saturday following the visit of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of the Republic of Guinea Bissau to President Tinubu at his Ikoyi, Lagos residence.

Alake told reporters that while the visit was of a private nature, President Embaló took the opportunity to express his solidarity and willingness to cooperate with Nigeria under the leadership of President Tinubu.

He also highlighted that the visit allowed Embaló, who is currently the chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, to reinforce the fraternal relations between the two countries.

“President Embalo commended the laudable policy initiatives of President Tinubu in the last one month and added that everyone in the international community has been commending the giant strides of the Nigerian leader.

“He came to pay his solidarity and bond with a brother African Head of State, in the first instance, and in particular as a brother Head of State in West Africa.

READ ALSO: Renewed Hope: NASS, govs storm Lagos, make pledges to Tinubu

“This is a very commendable sign of things to come in the entire West African region in terms of the atmosphere being generated by Nigeria’s giant steps in the last one month, and the need for Nigeria to take its rightful place in African affairs.

“Everybody is looking up to Nigeria, especially in Africa and the ECOWAS region and President Tinubu is ready to take up the gauntlet,” he added.

On the entourage of the visiting Bissau-Guinean leader were his Special Adviser Caramo Camara, Chief of Staff, Califa Soares and Diplomatic Advisor, Ambassador Alfredo Cabral and Image Operator, Bonifacio Correia.

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who had earlier received the visiting president at the Presidential Wing of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila and Dele Alake were also present during the visit.

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Buhari gave the assurance in the course of a one-day State Visit to the embattled West African country, giving words of encouragement to the people of the country for standing with the democratically chosen administration of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló against threats by undemocratic forces.

The president welcomed the conferment of the country’s highest national honour, the Amilcar Cabral Award upon him and the naming of a major street in Bissau, the capital city, after him.

Said the president: “In the course of this one-day official visit to Bissau today, we had an opportunity to review the state of our bilateral relations, and to share concerns on the challenges facing us in the region.  I very much appreciate the naming of two roads in my honour, as well as being conferred with the highest honour of Guinea Bissau.

“I am personally grateful to you, your government and the people of this fine country.  I believe all of these were possible because of the persevering stand of Nigeria in ensuring that Guinea Bissau remains on the side of Democratic Governance.

“Nigeria’s strong stand through the ECOWAS, in insisting and pushing for the full implementation of the Conakry Peace Agreement by imposing sanctions on nineteen (19) individuals who impeded the implementation of the Conakry Agreement helped to restore peace that now prevails in Guinea Bissau.

“Guinea Bissau and Nigeria have come a long way. Our cordial relations date back to Guinea Bissau’s liberation struggle from Portugal when Nigeria supported the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde.

“Nigeria has on its own, as well as through ECOWAS, intervened at critical periods in the life of this country, making immense direct contributions as well as, by supporting international efforts on the peace process in Guinea Bissau.  This fact has further reinforced our relations, enhanced understanding and trust between our two countries.”

The president then congratulated the people of Guinea Bissau for rallying around Abhay, a name he fondly calls “the energetic and visionary President Embalo.’’

He encouraged the people of Bissau-Guineans to support the entrenchment of democratic values in their country, saying: “You should always ensure that the electoral process is conducted in free and fair conditions.”

President Buhari concluded his address by assuring President Embalo of the continued disposition of Nigeria towards reinforcing cooperation with Guinea Bissau both at bilateral and multilateral levels.

On his part, the President of Guinea Bissau praised Nigeria for always standing with them in their 20 years of instability.

“You have assisted us with our elections. You have assisted in stabilizing Guinea Bissau. I assure that your support for democracy in this country and the entire subregion is much appreciated by the people, who as you have seen trooped to greet you.”

President Embalo assured President Buhari that he would follow in his footsteps in ensuring free and fair elections in his country and leaving on time when his tenure ends.

He also thanked the president for assisting the country with 70 doctors who performed the dual duties of training the Guineans and performing surgeries in the country without their citizens having to travel to Portugal.

On the “Amilcar Cabral Award” conferred on the president and the major street named as Muhammadu Buhari Boulevard, President Embalo said the two events reflected the most solemn moment of the country and a recognition of the stabilizing role President Buhari is playing in the life of his country, as well as the his  defence of democracy and its values throughout the subregion.”

President Embalo promised to re-invite President Buhari to commission the new Presidential Villa, now under construction even after leaving office, and the edifice is to be named Muhammadu Buhari Villa.

Nigerian officials that received  the country’s merit award are: Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno, the National Security Adviser; the Chief of Staff to the President, Ambassador Ibrahim Gambari and Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency.

The others are Sarki Abba, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Domestic Matters and the State Chief of Protocol, Ambassador Lawal Kazaure.

The president landed in Katsina and is now in Daura, his hometown.

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The president will join the Heads of State and Government of Senegal, Cote d’ Ivoire, Rwanda, Mauritania, Togo and Liberia to mark the  47th independence anniversary of Guinea Bissau.

In Bissau, President Buhari will also commission a road named in his honour by the host government.

The Nigerian leader and other invited Heads of State will attend an official lunch hosted by President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea Bissau.

Nigeria and Guinea Bissau established diplomatic relations in 1974.

Following a military coup in that country, Nigeria in 2012 deployed troops under the auspices of ECOWAS Mission in Guinea Bissau (ECOMIB) to maintain peace.

President Buhari had in response to a request for assistance by the Government of Guinea Bissau, during its last legislative elections, donated $500,000 dollars, 17 vehicles and 350 electoral kits to support the country’s electoral process.

In May this year, the president received President Embalo in Abuja, during which the Nigerian leader congratulated his counterpart on his confirmation as pesident, assuring him of Nigeria’s support to the new government in Guinea Bissau.

The Nigerian troops were only withdrawn on September 10, 2020 after the return of stability to the West African country.

The president will be accompanied by top government officials including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; the Minister of Defence, Major-General Bashir Salihi Magashi (Rtd); the National Security Adviser, Major-General Babagana Monguno (Rtd) and the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar,

President Buhari will return to Abuja at the end of the ceremonies on Thursday.

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Speaking while receiving the Guinean leader at the State House, President Buhari said, “It is good you have support of West African leaders, President of Senegal Macky Sall and that of Niger, Muhammadu Issoufou, who is the Chairman of ECOWAS, behind you. Both leaders have the respect of their countries.

“We, the leaders of West Africa have the duty of ensuring that the sub-region is stabilised politically, economically and security wise. We will do our best to ensure that elections are free and fair and meet democratic expectations,” said the Nigerian president.

Buhari also enjoined President Embalo to always be mindful of his country’s national interest.

“In these days of high-tech communications, information travels very fast. Be mindful of national interest which is often reflected in economic and political matters,” he said.

He further assured that Nigeria will continue to support Embalo and his country and congratulated him on coming through the difficult process leading to his victory and inauguration as president.

In his remarks, President Embalo of Guinea Bissau said he had come to Nigeria to express his country’s deep appreciation for the support it got in what he described as “our most difficult moment.”

He praised Nigeria’s role in the region as well as in global politics and urged President Buhari to continue to ensure the survival of democracy in the sub-region.

On the seeming controversy surrounding his election, the visiting president declared that with the decision of the country’s courts to give legitimacy to his victory, all matters were now settled, and he now had the support of virtually all the political forces in the country.

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Responding to Umaro Muhktar Sissoco Embalo, the President-elect of Guinea Bissau, who came to Nigeria on a “thank you visit” and to express his “good wishes” following his emergence as winner in the keenly contested, just-concluded elections in his country, President Buhari said, “Without stability, there can be no development. We will do whatever it will take to stabilize the sub-region.”

President Buhari commended the out-going President, José Mário Vaz, himself a candidate in the elections for supporting the emergence of Embalo in the second round of balloting “in the interest of peace and stability.”

He said history would remember President Mario Vaz for putting national interest above his own, emphasising that he cared for peace within the region.

The Nigerian president expressed his desire for both countries to work together for the betterment of their peoples and reiterated his vision for peace, progress and prosperity in West Africa.

President-elect Embalo, a businessman-turned politician, was Prime Minister of Guinea Bissau under incumbent President Jose Mario Vaz between 2016 and 2018.

He was a member of the ruling African Party of Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) when he founded the Movement for Democratic Alternative (MADEM-G15) on which platform he won the elections.

He praised President Buhari for his support leading to his emergence as winner in the elections and expressed his appreciation for the warm and friendly disposition of Nigeria towards him and the people of his country.

He informed the Nigerian leader of his selection as the Guest of Honour at the presidential inauguration coming up next month and for which he received assurances from President Buhari that he would make the best efforts to be present.

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