Guinea Bissau Coup: Goodluck Jonathan, International Observers Stranded as Military Seizes Power

Guinea Bissau Coup: Goodluck Jonathan, International Observers Stranded as Military Seizes Power

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan remains stranded in Guinea Bissau after a sudden military coup disrupted the country’s electoral process and shut down all borders, grounding hundreds of international observers who were in the country for the polls.

Jonathan, who leads the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) observer mission, was unable to leave as the military took control on Wednesday, suspending all movement by air, land and sea. Witnesses said several observers rushed to the airport upon hearing of the coup but were left stuck as soldiers quickly shut down operations.

A group of officers identifying themselves as the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order” announced they had assumed “total control” of the state. Their declaration came just hours after President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and opposition candidate Fernando Dias both claimed victory in the election.

The commanders immediately suspended the electoral process, imposed a nationwide curfew, and ordered the closure of all borders.

“I have been deposed,” Embalo told France24 in a phone interview, saying he was being held at the military headquarters.

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The crisis deepened with reports that opposition leader Domingos Simoes Pereira, head of the PAIGC party, had been arrested. Journalist Haque reported attempts by the military to shut down the internet as part of its takeover. The coup is said to be led by Denis N’Canha, former head of the presidential guard.

“The man supposed to protect the president has placed him under arrest,” Haque said.

Jonathan’s recent updates on social media detailed his activities since arriving in Bissau for the November 23 presidential and parliamentary elections. In earlier posts, he called for peaceful, transparent, and inclusive elections, and showed images of his team visiting polling units and paying condolence visits.

Efforts to reach Jonathan’s spokesman, Ikechukwu Eze, were unsuccessful, but former presidential aide Ima Niboro confirmed that Jonathan is “safe but trapped alongside other foreign observers.”

In a joint statement, Jonathan and other African leaders condemned the coup, describing it as a blatant attempt to derail democracy.

“We express deep concern with the announcement of a coup d’etat by the armed forces while the nation awaited election results,” the statement read. “We deplore this disruption of the democratic process and call on the African Union and ECOWAS to act swiftly to restore constitutional order.”

The group also demanded the immediate release of detained election officials and urged the people of Guinea Bissau to remain calm during what they described as a “sensitive period” for the country.

Jonathan, who recently marked his 68th birthday, remains in Guinea Bissau pending the restoration of normal movement and security.

Guinea Bissau Coup: Goodluck Jonathan, International Observers Stranded as Military Seizes Power