Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is currently stranded in Guinea Bissau after the military declared a takeover yesterday.
The move comes a day after the presidential election results were about to be officially announced.
The coup leaders, calling themselves the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order,” announced the immediate suspension of the electoral process “until further notice,” ordered an overnight curfew, and closed all land, air, and sea borders.
Top Officials Arrested
President Umaro Sissoco Embalo confirmed his arrest in a phone call with French broadcaster France24, saying, “I have been deposed. I am currently at the general staff headquarters.”
Domingos Simoes Pereira, head of the main opposition PAIGC party, has also been arrested.
An observer said, “The man supposed to protect the president himself has put the president under arrest,” referring to Denis N’Canha, the army officer leading the coup.
Stranded Election Observers
Jonathan, heading the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) observer mission, posted updates from Guinea Bissau before the coup.
Upon arrival, 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.”
On election day, he shared another update:
“Members of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) Election Mission today conducted visits to some polling stations in Bissau as voting commenced… 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.”
Jonathan’s Safety Confirmed
Attempts to reach Jonathan’s spokesman, Ikechukwu Eze, were unsuccessful.
However, former spokesman Ima Niboro told Daily Trust: “I spoke with Jonathan and he assured me that he is safe.”
Condemnation of the Coup
In a joint statement, Jonathan and other African leaders condemned the coup, saying:
“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. We deplore this blatant attempt to disrupt the democratic process… We request the African Union and the ECOWAS to take the necessary steps to restore constitutional order. We call on the people of Guinea Bissau to remain calm, and we reaffirm our commitment to supporting the country on its democratic path.”