Ex-President Jonathan and Foreign Observers Stranded in Guinea-Bissau After Military Coup

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and several senior African diplomats remain stranded in Guinea-Bissau after a military coup halted the country’s elections and forced the closure of all borders.

Jonathan is part of a 36-member high-level election observation mission jointly deployed by the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) to monitor the presidential and legislative elections scheduled for November 23.

However, their work was abruptly disrupted on Wednesday when soldiers seized power in the capital, Bissau, plunged the nation into uncertainty, and shut airports and land borders.

A source close to Jonathan confirmed to The Guardian that the former president and other mission leaders “are still there” but added that the situation would be handled “based on international protocol.”

The stranded dignitaries include Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, former President of Mozambique and head of the AU mission; Issifu Baba Braimah Kamara, head of the ECOWAS mission; and Goodluck Jonathan, head of the WAEF delegation. All three were in the middle of final consultations with presidential candidates when the military struck.

Guinea-Bissau descended into crisis after heavy gunfire erupted around the presidential palace early Wednesday. Hours later, General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, announced that a joint command representing all branches of the armed forces had taken over the country “until further notice.”

Following the announcement, the military shut the nation’s borders, suspended the release of election results, and detained several senior officials, including those overseeing the electoral process.

The coup came amid rising political tension after incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and his main rival, Fernando Dias, both claimed victory despite the electoral commission not yet releasing official results.

In a joint statement signed in Bissau, the AU, ECOWAS, and WAEF condemned the coup, describing it as a deliberate attack on Guinea-Bissau’s democratic transition. The groups noted that the coup was announced shortly after both leading candidates had assured the observer missions that they would respect the final outcome of the polls.

The missions also expressed deep concern over the arrest of key electoral officials and called on the military to release all detainees immediately and allow the electoral process to continue unhindered.

“We call on the people of Guinea-Bissau to remain calm, and we reaffirm our commitment to supporting the country on its democratic path,” the statement read.

As of Thursday morning, Jonathan and the other observers remain confined in Guinea-Bissau pending diplomatic resolution and the reopening of the country’s borders.