President Muhammadu Buhari has sent former President Olusegun Obasanjo as his special envoy to Guinea Biussau to mediate in the conflict in the West African country.
According to Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, Buhari is “deeply concerned by the unfolding political situation in Guinea Bissau following the dismissal of the prime minister, Domingos Simoes Pereira and his cabinet by President Jose Mario Vaz”.
“In demonstration of true African solidarity and brotherhood, President Buhari has sent former President Olusegun Obasanjo as his special envoy to mediate and help find a solution to the crisis brewing in Guinea Bissau,” Adesina said.
“Chief Obasanjo embarked on the first leg of his mission by consulting with the current chairman of the ECOWAS authority of heads of state and government, President Macky Sall of Senegal in Dakar yesterday.
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“It is regrettable that while Chief Obasanjo was still consulting with President Sall, President Jose Mario Vaz of Guinea Bissau proceeded to appoint and swear-in a new prime minister in the person of Mr Baciro Dja, a development that has worsened the political situation in his country.
“President Buhari appeals for calm and calls on the leadership in Guinea Bissau to exercise utmost restraint and ensure the maintenance of law and order as efforts continue to resolve the current crisis.
“The president particularly urges the leadership in Guinea Bissau, including the military, to ensure respect for constitutional order, sanctity of life and safety of citizens, and avoid taking any further action that can threaten the fragile democratic institutions recently established in the country.”
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After falling out with Ex-president Goodluck Jonathan before the presidential election and directing the tearing of his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) membership card, Obasanjo publicly backed Buhari’s candidature but vowed to remain non-partisan.
This is his first official assignment for Buhari, who went on to win the election.
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