Former President Goodluck Jonathan is confirmed safe but stranded in Guinea-Bissau after the military seized power and shut the country’s borders. Jonathan, who led the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) observer team for the presidential and parliamentary elections, is unable to leave alongside hundreds of foreign observers.
The takeover occurred as results were being awaited. Soldiers identifying themselves as the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order” announced they had taken “total control” of the state, suspended the electoral process and imposed an overnight curfew while closing land, air and sea borders.
Their move followed conflicting victory claims by President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and opposition candidate Fernando Dias. Embalo told France24, “I have been deposed,” saying he was being held at the military headquarters, while opposition leader Domingos Simoes Pereira was also reportedly arrested. Coup leader Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential guard, is said to be attempting to cut the country’s internet access.
Jonathan had earlier shared updates of his observer activities, including polling station visits and a condolence visit to the family of former First Lady Mrs. Isolina Da Fonseca Nhamajo. His spokesman could not be reached, but former aide Ima Niboro confirmed he is safe but trapped with other election monitors.
Hundreds of foreign observers who raced to the airport in a bid to leave the country after the coup was announced are currently stranded.
The coup leaders claimed “total control” of the country on Wednesday, a day after two leading candidates – President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and Fernando Dias – each declared victory in the country’s election even though the electoral commission had not released official results.
Calling themselves the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order”, the officers ordered the immediate suspension of the electoral process “until further notice”
They also ordered the closure of all land, air and sea borders and an overnight curfew.
“I have been deposed,” Embalo told French broadcaster France24 in a phone call, adding that he was “currently at the general staff headquarters”
The head of the main opposition PAIGC party, Domingos Simoes Pereira, has also been arrested, Haque said.
In a joint statement, Jonathan and other African leaders in Bissau condemned the military action, warning it undermines the democratic process and thr+atens the country’s stability.
They urged the African Union and ECOWAS to intervene, called for the release of detained electoral officials, and appealed to citizens to remain calm while efforts to restore constitutional order continue.
