Goodluck Jonathan stranded in Guinea-Bissau amid military coup

Former President Goodluck Jonathan is currently stranded in Guinea-Bissau following a military takeover earlier on Wednesday

Jonathan, along with hundreds of foreign election observers, is unable to leave the country after the coup disrupted the conclusion of the presidential and parliamentary elections, whose results were about to be officially announced.

Reports indicate that many foreign observers rushed to the airport after the coup was declared, only to find themselves stranded as flights were halted.

A group of military officers, calling themselves the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order,” announced they had assumed “total control” of the country. They ordered an immediate suspension of the electoral process “until further notice,” closed all land, air, and sea borders, and imposed an overnight curfew.

President Umaro Sissoco Embalo told France24 that he had been deposed and was “currently at the general staff headquarters.” The head of the main opposition party, Domingos Simoes Pereira, has also been arrested. Efforts to cut off internet access were reportedly underway.

The military officer leading the coup, Denis N’Canha, previously headed the presidential guard, raising concerns about the breach of security that led to the president’s arrest.

Jonathan had arrived in Guinea-Bissau as head of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) Election Mission to observe the country’s elections scheduled for November 23, 2025. On arrival, he posted on social media, “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. We wish the people of Guinea Bissau a peaceful, inclusive and transparent elections.”

During the election, Jonathan updated followers on the WAEF’s activities, noting visits to polling stations and extending best wishes for a smooth voting process. His last post from Bissau showed him visiting the family of the late former First Lady, Mrs. Isolina Da Fonseca Nhamajo, where he shared condolence messages along with photos from the visit.

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