‘Who Is Fooling Who?’ Jonathan describes Guinea-Bissau coup as disturbing theatre

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed the reported military takeover in Guinea-Bissau as anything but a coup, insisting that the country’s election results must be released without delay.

Jonathan, who led the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission to monitor the country’s presidential and legislative polls, said the incident remained deeply troubling and “more painful” than when he conceded defeat to Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

Speaking in an interview with Symfoni on Friday, Jonathan said the events in Guinea-Bissau bore the markings of “a ceremonial coup” rather than a genuine military overthrow.

“Specifically, what happened in Guinea-Bissau was not a coup. Maybe for want of a better word, I would call it a ceremonial coup,” he said.

According to him, the situation turned suspicious when President Umaro Embaló himself declared that a coup was underway.

“It is the president, President Embaló, that announced the coup. Before the military even addressed the world, Embaló had already told everyone he had been arrested,” Jonathan said.

He questioned the credibility of the claims, noting that the president maintained open communication with international media throughout the alleged takeover.

“Not only announcing the coup, but Embaló was using his phone and granting interviews, claiming he had been arrested. I’m a Nigerian; I know how coup situations unfold. This one didn’t add up,” he added.

Jonathan said he found the incident “disturbing” and a serious affront to democratic systems in the region.
“I feel more pained than the day I called Buhari to congratulate him when I lost as a sitting president,” he said.

The former leader also revealed that the electoral process was near completion when Embaló suddenly announced that the military had taken over.

“When they were almost through and we were all waiting for the results, Embaló announced a coup, claiming he had been arrested,” he said.

Jonathan to AU, ECOWAS: Announce the Results

Jonathan called on the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to immediately publish the authentic election results, insisting that regional observers were present at all collation points and had copies of the figures.

“My conviction is that AU and ECOWAS must announce the results. They have them. They cannot change those results,” he maintained.

He added that while the military may still be in control, transparency on the election outcome was crucial to restoring legitimacy.

“They cannot force the military out, but they must announce who won that election. They owe the world that responsibility,” he said.

Jonathan also demanded the release of opposition candidate Fernando Dias, stressing that he had committed no offence and should not be detained.

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