Fernando Dias da Costa

Fernando Dias da Costa is a 47-year-old Guinea-Bissau presidential candidate who ran for the Party for Social Renewal. He is currently newsworthy due to the recent military coup in Guinea-Bissau, which occurred after the November 23 presidential election but before the results could be finalized. The electoral commission stated that the coup resulted in the destruction of election materials and servers, rendering the election incomplete. Following the coup, Dias da Costa was under special protection at the Nigerian embassy due to threats against his life. Nigeria has since granted him asylum, citing an imminent threat. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has sent a delegation to Guinea-Bissau to mediate with the military leaders who seized power, highlighting the regional significance of the situation and Dias da Costa's role as a key political figure affected by the coup.