Former President Goodluck Jonathan remains stuck in Guinea Bissau following Wednesday’s military takeover, which unfolded just as the country prepared to release official election results.
Jonathan, who is in the country with hundreds of international observers, has been unable to depart after the sudden coup halted all movements by air, land and sea.
It was learnt that scores of foreign observers raced to the airport as news of the takeover filtered out, only to find themselves stranded as soldiers moved to shut down operations.
A group of officers, describing themselves as the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order,” announced they had assumed “total control” of the country. Their declaration came a day after both President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and Fernando Dias claimed victory in the polls.
The commanders ordered an indefinite suspension of the electoral process, the closure of all borders, and a night-time curfew.
“I have been deposed,” Embalo told France24 in a phone call, saying he was “currently at the general staff headquarters”.
Domingos Simoes Pereira, leader of the PAIGC opposition party, has also been taken into custody, according to Haque. “As well, we’ve just heard that the military is trying to cut off the Internet. There’s a curfew in place,” Haque said, adding that the coup was being led by Denis N’Canha, previously head of the presidential guard.
“The man supposed to protect the president himself has put the president under arrest,” he added.
Jonathan, who heads the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) observer mission, had posted updates of his activities since his arrival. In his first message, he wrote, “We arrived in Bissau this evening as members of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) Election Mission ahead of Guinea Bissau’s presidential and parliamentary polls scheduled for November 23, 2025. We wish the people of Guinea Bissau a peaceful, inclusive and transparent elections.”
He later shared an update titled OUT ON ELECTION DAY IN BISSAU, saying, “Members of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) Election Mission today conducted visits to some polling stations in Bissau as voting commenced in Guinea-Bissau’s 2025 presidential and parliamentary elections. WAEF extends warm regards to the people and authorities of Guinea-Bissau and wishes for a smooth voting process and a peaceful, stable post-election period that strengthens unity and democratic governance.”
Jonathan’s most recent update was on his condolence visit to the family of late President Manuel Sefiro Nhamado “to condole with them on the recent passing of their matriarch and former First Lady, Mrs. Isolina Da Fonseca Nhamajo,” accompanied by five photos.
Attempts to reach Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan’s spokesman, were unsuccessful as his phone line was unreachable.
However, former presidential spokesman Ima Niboro said he had been in contact with people around Jonathan and confirmed the ex-president — who just turned 68 — was still in Guinea Bissau when the coup began.
Niboro said Jonathan is “safe but trapped alongside other foreign observers.”
In a joint statement, Jonathan and other African leaders in the country denounced the coup.
“We express deep concern with the announcement of a coup d’etat by the armed forces, while the nation was waiting for the announcement of the results. It’s regrettable that this announcement came at a time when the missions had just concluded meeting with the two leading presidential candidates, who assured us of their willingness to accept the will of the people.”
“We deplore this blatant attempt to disrupt the democratic process and the gains that have been achieved thus far. We request the African Union and the ECOWAS to take the necessary steps to restore constitutional order.
“We express concern of the arrests of top officials including those that are in charge of the electoral process. In this regard, we urge the armed forces to immediately release the detained officials to allow the country’s electoral process to proceed to its conclusion.
“We call on the people of Guinea Bissau to remain calm, and we reaffirm our commitment to supporting the Country on its democratic path, and in this respect, we underscore the importance of preserving peace, stability, and the well-being of the Bissau-Guinean people during this sensitive period.,” the statement read.
(DAILY TRUST)
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