Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is among hundreds of foreign election observers currently unable to leave Guinea-Bissau following a sudden military takeover that halted the country’s electoral process.
Jonathan, who arrived in Bissau as head of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) observer mission, was preparing to monitor the final stages of the presidential and parliamentary polls when soldiers announced they had assumed control of the country.
Daily Trust reports that panic broke out shortly after the declaration, with foreign observers rushing to the airport in an attempt to evacuate. However, all flights were grounded as the coup leaders ordered the closure of land, air, and sea borders. Many observers, including Jonathan’s delegation, remain stranded.
The military faction, calling itself the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order, suspended the vote-counting process “until further notice,” just a day after the two main contenders, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias, both claimed electoral victory.
Embalo, speaking in a phone interview with France24, confirmed that he had been removed from office and was being held at the armed forces headquarters. Reports also indicate that Domingos Simões Pereira, leader of the PAIGC opposition party, has been detained.
The situation escalated further as coup leaders reportedly attempted to shut down internet services across the country and imposed a strict nighttime curfew. According to sources, the uprising is being led by Denis N’Canha, a top military officer who once commanded the presidential guard.
Before the crisis, Jonathan had shared updates on his social-media pages documenting his observer mission activities, including visits to polling stations and meetings with political stakeholders. His most recent post came on Tuesday following a condolence visit to the family of former Guinea-Bissau President Manuel Sefiro Nhamajo.
Jonathan’s former media aide, Ima Niboro, confirmed to Journalists that the former President is safe but unable to leave the country. “I have been in touch with people around him. They assured me he is fine, but he is trapped along with other observers,” Niboro said.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, Jonathan and other African leaders in Bissau condemned the military’s actions, describing the takeover as a deliberate attempt to derail the country’s democratic process.
“It is deeply troubling that this announcement came while the nation awaited election results,” the statement read. “We had only just concluded meetings with the two leading candidates, both of whom assured us of their readiness to accept the outcome of the vote.”
The observer group called on ECOWAS and the African Union to intervene swiftly to restore constitutional order. They also demanded the immediate release of detained officials overseeing the electoral process, stressing that the will of Guinea-Bissau’s people must be respected.
“We urge citizens to remain calm,” the statement added. “We remain committed to supporting Guinea-Bissau on its democratic journey and emphasise the urgent need to safeguard peace and stability during this critical period.”