Goodluck Jonathan trapped in Guinea-Bissau as military overthrows government

Former President Goodluck Jonathan is among the African leaders currently stranded in Guinea-Bissau following Wednesday’s military takeover, which halted the country’s electoral process and shut its borders.

Jonathan is part of a 36-member high-level observer mission representing the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, and the West African Elders Forum (WAEF). The delegation had been in the country to monitor Sunday’s presidential election.

However, tensions escalated after incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and his main challenger, Fernando Dias, both declared themselves winners despite the electoral commission’s failure to release official results.

Hours later, the military announced it had assumed control of the government, suspended the election, and closed all land and air borders, effectively trapping visiting dignitaries and election observers.

In a joint statement, the AU, ECOWAS, and WAEF expressed “deep concern” over the military intervention, describing it as a setback to democratic progress.

“It’s regrettable that this announcement came at a time when the missions had just concluded meeting with the two leading presidential candidates, who assured us of their willingness to accept the will of the people,” the statement said.

The observers urged ECOWAS and the AU to immediately intervene and called for the release of all detained government officials. For now, Jonathan and other members of the delegation are expected to remain in Guinea-Bissau until at least November 29, pending the reopening of borders and restoration of order.

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