Fernando Dias da Costa

Fernando Dias da Costa is a 47-year-old presidential candidate in Guinea-Bissau, representing 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 announced. The electoral commission stated that the coup resulted in the destruction of ballots, tally sheets, computers, and servers storing election results, effectively preventing the completion of the election process. Following the coup and alleged threats against his life, Dias da Costa was granted asylum in Nigeria. Nigeria cited an 'imminent threat to his life' as the reason for offering protection. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has sent a delegation to Guinea-Bissau to mediate with the coup leaders, highlighting the regional significance of the situation and the concern for Dias da Costa's safety and the democratic process.