Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has been confirmed safe but stranded in Guinea-Bissau after the military seized power, shut the country’s borders, and halted all movements in and out of the capital. Jonathan led the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) observer mission to the country’s presidential and parliamentary elections and is now unable to leave alongside hundreds of other international observers.
The military takeover unfolded late Wednesday as the nation awaited official election results. Soldiers identifying themselves as the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order announced they had assumed “total control” of the state, suspended the electoral process, closed land, air and sea borders, and imposed a nationwide curfew.
The coup followed rising political tension and conflicting victory claims by incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias. Embaló, in an interview with France24, declared, “I have been deposed,” saying he was being held at the military headquarters. Opposition figure Domingos Simões Pereira was also reportedly arrested.
Coup leader Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential guard, is said to be attempting to cut off the country’s internet access as part of efforts to consolidate control.
Jonathan, who had spent the week inspecting polling stations and holding engagements with local stakeholders, last posted updates on his observer duties, including a condolence visit to the family of former First Lady, Mrs. Isolina Da Fonseca Nhamajo. His spokesman has not commented on the situation, but former aide Ima Niboro confirmed that the former president is “safe but trapped” with other election monitors.
In a joint statement issued from Bissau, Jonathan and other African statesmen condemned the coup, warning that it undermines the democratic process and threatens the fragile stability of the West African nation. They called for the immediate intervention of the African Union and ECOWAS, demanded the release of detained electoral officials and political actors, and urged citizens to remain calm as efforts to restore constitutional order continue.