The Ministry stated that the politician is now at the Nigerian Embassy in Guinea-Bissau’s capital, Bissau, following a military takeover in the country.

Fernando Dias sought refuge at the Nigerian Embassy while representatives from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), led by Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, were attempting last week to persuade the soldiers who seized power in Guinea-Bissau to return authority to civilian rule.

In a meeting on Monday between ECOWAS representatives and Guinea-Bissau’s military leaders, significant disagreements were evident. ECOWAS delegates demanded that the military allow the official presidential election results to be announced, in order to uphold the country’s constitution.

The Foreign Minister of Sierra Leone, who also leads ECOWAS, warned that the organization could impose sanctions on Guinea-Bissau. However, he said that a decision on the country’s future would be made at an upcoming ECOWAS summit of heads of state and government scheduled for December 14 this year.

On the side of the transitional president installed by the military, Major-General Horta Inta-A stated that the coup was necessary to combat a drug trafficking plot aimed at taking over the country. He also promised that after one year of leading Guinea-Bissau, he would relinquish power.