Jonathan, other African leaders trapped in Guinea-Bissau after military coup

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is among several African leaders stranded in Guinea-Bissau after a military coup plunged the country into political uncertainty. Jonathan is part of a 36-member high-profile delegation representing the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the West African Elders Forum (WAEF), which had travelled to the country to monitor Sunday’s presidential election.

Tensions escalated on Wednesday when military officers seized control of government institutions and suspended the electoral process. The coup unfolded shortly after incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and his main challenger, Fernando Dias, both declared themselves winners, despite the absence of official results from the electoral commission.

Following the takeover, the military shut the country’s borders and closed all airports, effectively trapping international observers and foreign dignitaries, including Jonathan. The joint observer mission expressed “deep concern” over the development, noting that the intervention came barely hours after both leading candidates had assured the delegation of their willingness to accept the outcome of a transparent process.

In a statement, the observers urged the AU and ECOWAS to take urgent steps to restore constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau. They also demanded the immediate release of detained officials whose whereabouts remain unknown following the coup.

The delegation, originally scheduled to depart Guinea-Bissau on November 29, is now unable to leave due to the shutdown of air and land routes. Diplomatic efforts are reportedly underway to secure safe passage for the observers and initiate regional dialogue aimed at de-escalating the crisis.

The international community is closely monitoring the situation as Guinea-Bissau, historically prone to political instability and military uprisings, faces yet another major democratic setback.