Jonathan is part of a 36-member delegation representing the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the West African Elders Forum (WAEF).
BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau — Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is among dozens of regional leaders and election monitors currently stranded in Guinea-Bissau after a dramatic military takeover brought the nation’s political process to a halt and triggered a full border shutdown.
Jonathan is part of a 36-member delegation representing the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the West African Elders Forum (WAEF).
The group had traveled to the country to oversee the presidential election held on Sunday, November 23, 2025.
However, tensions reached a breaking point on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, when military officers seized control of the government. The coup immediately suspended the ongoing vote-counting process, which had entered its final stages as citizens awaited official results.
The crisis intensified when both incumbent President Umaro Embaló and his main opponent, Fernando Dias, prematurely declared victory, despite the electoral commission not having announced any official tally.
The military’s intervention was followed by a swift closure of all airports and land borders, leaving international observers unable to exit the country.
It remains uncertain whether the observer mission has established contact with the military leaders or whether discussions are underway to secure their safe evacuation.
In a statement released shortly after the coup, the joint AU-ECOWAS-WAEF observer mission voiced “profound concern” over the abrupt disruption of the electoral process.
“The timing of this announcement is unfortunate, especially as the mission had just ended separate consultations with the two leading candidates, both of whom pledged to respect the outcome of the election,” the statement noted.
The observers called on both the AU and ECOWAS to take swift action to restore constitutional order and demanded the immediate release of detained state officials, including President Embaló, key government figures, and top security officers.
Jonathan and other members of the delegation were originally scheduled to leave Guinea-Bissau on Saturday, November 29, 2025, but the nationwide shutdown has now cast doubt on their ability to depart as planned.
The sudden coup further highlights the deepening political instability across West Africa, where Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have all experienced military takeovers in recent years.
Regional leaders are expected to convene soon to deliberate on a coordinated response to the unfolding situation in Guinea-Bissau.
Join us on our WhatsApp Platform @KOIKIMEDIA NEWS YOUR PAGE
KoikiMedia Bringing the World 🌎 Closer to Your Doorstep