Ex-President Jonathan, other African leaders trapped amid Guinea-Bissau military takeover
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is among hundreds of foreign election observers currently stranded in Guinea-Bissau following a dramatic military takeover that unfolded just hours before official presidential election results were expected to be announced.
Jonathan, who arrived in the West African nation as head of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) Election Observation Mission, has been unable to leave the country after the military seized power, shut down borders, and imposed a nationwide curfew.
Shortly after the coup announcement, panic-gripped observers and diplomats raced to the Osvaldo Vieira International Airport in an attempt to exit the country.
However, soldiers sealed off all land, air and sea borders, leaving hundreds trapped.
A group of officers identifying themselves as the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order” declared that they had taken “total control” of the country, just one day after both leading candidates, incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition contender Fernando Dias, separately claimed victory.
READ ALSO: Coup in Guinea-Bissau as military officers declare ‘total control’ of country
The coup leaders announced the suspension of the electoral process “until further notice,” the closure of national borders, and the imposition of an overnight curfew.
President Embaló, speaking to France 24 by phone, confirmed that he had been deposed. “I have been deposed,” he said, adding that he was being held at the general staff headquarters.
Opposition figure and PAIGC leader Domingos Simões Pereira was also reportedly arrested. Observers in the capital said internet connectivity was being cut off progressively.
Haque, one of the international observers in Bissau, added that the coup was led by Denis N’Canha, the head of the presidential guard.
“The man supposed to protect the president himself has put the president under arrest,” he said.
Jonathan, who had been sharing updates about the mission on social media, arrived ahead of the November 23 presidential and parliamentary elections.
In his posts, he expressed hope for a peaceful and transparent exercise and later reported that the WAEF mission had toured several polling stations on election day.
His last public update came on Tuesday when he visited the family of the late former President Manuel Sefiro Nhamado to console them on the death of former First Lady, Isolina Da Fonseca Nhamajo.
Former presidential spokesman Ima Niboro confirmed that Jonathan was still in Guinea-Bissau when the coupists struck, but stressed that the former leader had personally assured him of his safety.
Jonathan and other African leaders present in Bissau issued a joint statement condemning the military takeover.
“We express deep concern with the announcement of a coup d’état by the armed forces, while the nation was waiting for the announcement of the results,” the statement read.
“It’s 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 called on the African Union and ECOWAS to take urgent steps to restore constitutional order and demanded the immediate release of detained electoral officials.
“We call on the people of Guinea Bissau to remain calm and underscore the importance of preserving peace, stability and the well-being of the Bissau-Guinean people during this sensitive period.”
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