Nigeria’s Goodluck Jonathan Trapped In Guinea-Bissau Coup But Issue Statement
Nigerian former President Goodluck Jonathan is among African leaders who are currently trapped in Guinea-Bissau following a coup d’état in the country.
Jonathan is one of the 36 high-profile observers on the joint mission of the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) who are in Guinea-Bissau to monitor the presidential election held on Sunday.
On Wednesday, military officers seized control of the government and suspended the country’s electoral process.
The military took over after President Umaro Embaló, who is seeking re-election, and Fernando Dias, his main opponent, declared themselves winners of the presidential election even though the electoral commission had not released official results.
The Nigerian leader alongside hundreds of foreign observers are unable to leave the country where elections took place and results were about to be officially declared.
Hundreds of foreign observers who raced to the airport in a bid to leave the country after the coup was announced are currently stranded.
In a statement, Jonathan, alongside other African leaders currently stranded in the country, condemned the coup.
The statement read: “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 group of military officers claimed “total control” of the country, a day after two leading candidates – President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and Fernando Dias – each declared victory.
Calling themselves the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order”, the officers ordered the immediate suspension of the electoral process “until further notice”.
They also ordered the closure of all land, air and sea borders and an overnight curfew.
“I have been deposed,” Embalo told French broadcaster France24 in a phone call, adding that he was “currently at the general staff headquarters”.
The head of the main opposition PAIGC party, Domingos Simoes Pereira, has also been arrested, Haque said. “As well, we’ve just heard that the military is trying to cut off the Internet. There’s a curfew in place.”
He added that the army officer leading the coup, Denis N’Canha, served as the head of the presidential guard.
“The man supposed to protect the president himself has put the president under arrest,” Haque said.
Upon his arrival in the country, Jonathan, who is head of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) observer group, posted on social media, “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.”
Two days later, he posted another update: “OUT ON ELECTION DAY IN BISSAU.
“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,” he wrote.
Jonathan’s last update on Bissau was yesterday when he wrote that he went on a condolence visit to the family of late Guinea Bissau President, Manuel Sefiro Nhamado, “to condole with them on the recent passing of their matriarch and former First Lady, Mrs. Isolina Da Fonseca Nhamajo.”
He had posted five pictures he snapped with the family.
