Former Nigeria President Jonathan Trapped in Guinea-Bissau as Military Suspends Electoral Process, Announces Takeover

Former Nigerian President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has been trapped in Guinea-Bissau following a sudden military takeover that halted the country’s electoral process on Wednesday.

 

The former leader, who arrived in the country earlier in the week as head of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) observer mission, is reportedly safe but unable to leave as soldiers shut the country’s borders and imposed a nationwide curfew.

 

The crisis erupted just as international observers and citizens awaited official results from Guinea-Bissau’s presidential and parliamentary elections held on Sunday. Tensions had been high after the two leading candidates—incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition figure Fernando Dias—each prematurely declared themselves winners. Before the electoral commission could announce the results, a group of senior military officers appeared on national television claiming they had seized “total control” of the state.

 

Military Declares Itself “High Command for the Restoration of Order”

 

The coup plotters, calling themselves the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order, announced the immediate suspension of the electoral process “until further notice.” They further ordered the closure of all land, air, and sea borders, sealing the country off from external contact. An overnight curfew was imposed, and reports indicate that the military has begun restricting internet access to hinder the flow of information.

 

In a brief phone interview with France24, President Embaló confirmed that he had been detained by soldiers. “I have been deposed,” he said. “I am currently at the general staff headquarters.” His statement was the first public acknowledgment that he had lost control of the government.

 

Domingos Simões Pereira, leader of the main opposition PAIGC party and a key political figure in the election, was also arrested according to international observers monitoring developments on the ground. Tijjani Haque, one of the officials present during the unfolding events, said that the coup was being spearheaded by Denis N’Canha, the commander of the presidential guard. “The man supposed to protect the president himself has put the president under arrest,” Haque remarked, underscoring the gravity of the betrayal within the ranks.

Jonathan, Foreign Observers Stranded

 

As panic set in across the capital, Bissau, hundreds of foreign observers flocked to the airport in an attempt to flee. However, with soldiers shutting down all entry and exit points, many—including Jonathan—found themselves stranded.

 

Sources who spoke to Daily Trust confirmed that the former Nigerian president is trapped in the country, though not in direct danger. His spokesman, Ikechukwu Eze, could not be reached on phone as of press time, raising early concern about Jonathan’s whereabouts. But his former media aide, Ima Niboro, later confirmed that the former president was safe.

 

“I spoke with those around him, and they assured me that President Jonathan is fine. He is trapped like everyone else but safe,” Niboro told Daily Trust. Jonathan, who turned 68 just days earlier, had been in Guinea-Bissau to help monitor the elections and support a peaceful transition process.

 

Jonathan’s presence in the country was well documented. Upon arrival, he posted a message on his verified social media accounts: “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 scheduled for November 23, 2025. We wish the people of Guinea-Bissau a peaceful, inclusive, and transparent election.”

 

He later shared updates on election day, saying that the WAEF team had visited polling units across Bissau and interacted with voters and officials. His most recent post prior to the coup revealed that he had paid a condolence visit to the family of former President Manuel Sefiro Nhamado.

African Leaders Condemn Coup, Call for Restoration of Civil Rule

 

In a jointly issued statement, Jonathan and other regional leaders present in Bissau condemned the military takeover in strong terms. The statement expressed “deep concern” that the armed forces intervened at a time when the nation was awaiting the peaceful announcement of election results.

 

“It is 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 leaders said. They described the coup as a “blatant attempt to disrupt the democratic process” and the progress Guinea-Bissau has made under international supervision.

 

The statement further called on the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to immediately intervene and restore constitutional order. It also demanded the release of all detained political and electoral officials.

 

“We express concern over the arrests of top officials including those responsible for overseeing the electoral process. We urge the armed forces to immediately release the detained officials to allow the country’s electoral process to proceed to its conclusion,” the leaders noted.

 

Jonathan and the other African envoys urged citizens of Guinea-Bissau to remain calm during the unfolding political crisis. They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the country through peaceful and democratic means, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding stability and the well-being of the Bissau-Guinean people.

A Nation in Uncertainty

Guinea-Bissau, a West African nation with a history of political turbulence, has experienced more than a dozen coups, attempted coups, and military interventions since independence in 1973. The latest upheaval plunges the country back into uncertainty just as it appeared to be charting a path toward electoral stability.

 

For now, the fate of President Embaló, detained opposition leaders, the halted electoral process, and trapped foreign delegations—including Jonathan—hangs in the balance. The shutdown of the borders and widespread confusion have heightened fears of prolonged instability.

 

Regional bodies, including ECOWAS and AU, are expected to convene emergency sessions to address the crisis.

 

As the situation in Bissau continues to unfold, the world watches closely, hoping for a swift and peaceful restoration of civilian rule—and safe passage for international observers who came to help strengthen the country’s democratic foundations.

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