Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is among hundreds of foreign dignitaries and election observers stranded in Guinea-Bissau after the country’s armed forces abruptly seized power, suspended the electoral process, and shut all borders.
A sudden military takeover in Guinea-Bissau has left former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and other foreign observers unable to leave the country. The armed forces suspended the electoral process, imposed a nationwide curfew, and closed all borders.
President Umaro Sissoco Embalo confirmed he had been deposed as reports emerged of key political figures being arrested.
African leaders in Bissau have condemned the intervention and urged the swift restoration of constitutional order.
The intervention came as the nation awaited official results from its presidential and parliamentary elections.
Jonathan, who chairs the West African Elders Forum observer mission, arrived ahead of the polls and had been monitoring voting activities across Bissau when the military takeover was announced.
Business Insider Africa gathered that several observer groups hurried to the airport soon after news of the coup broke, only to discover that outgoing flights had been halted.
A group of officers, identifying themselves as the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order, declared they had taken “total control” of the state.
Their proclamation followed a day of political tension in which both incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and challenger Fernando Dias separately claimed victory.
The military ordered an immediate suspension of the electoral process, the closure of land, air, and sea borders, and the imposition of a night-time curfew.
Embalo later confirmed his removal in a call to France24, saying he was “currently at the general staff headquarters”.
The crisis deepened as Domingos Simoes Pereira, leader of the main opposition PAIGC party, was arrested. Reports suggested the military also attempted to cut internet access as part of efforts to tighten its grip.
Haque, a local political analyst speaking to international media, noted that the coup was led by Denis N’Canha, who previously headed the presidential guard.
Haque said, “The man supposed to protect the president himself has put the president under arrest.”
Jonathan, who had been providing routine social media updates from Bissau before the crisis erupted, described his arrival as part of a mission to promote “peaceful, inclusive and transparent elections”.
On election day, he reported that WAEF delegates had visited polling stations across the capital, sending “warm regards” to citizens and hoping for a “stable post-election period that strengthens unity and democratic governance”.
His last public update came a day before the coup, when he visited the family of former President Manuel Sefiro Nhamado to offer condolences on the passing of former First Lady Isolina Da Fonseca Nhamajo.
Attempts to reach Jonathan’s spokesperson, Ikechukwu Eze, were unsuccessful as his phone line was unreachable. However, Ima Niboro, who once served as Jonathan’s spokesman, confirmed the former president remained in Guinea-Bissau.
