Nigeria’s former President Goodluck Jonathan is among hundreds of foreign observers currently trapped in Guinea Bissau where the military announced take-over earlier in the day.
Reports indicated that they are unable to leave the tiny African nation where elections took place and results were about to be officially declared by the electoral umpire.
According to the reports, hundreds of foreign observers who raced to the airport in a bid to leave the country after the coup was announced are currently stranded.
Upon his arrival in the country, Jonathan, who is head of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) observer group, posted on social media, “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 elections.”
Again, he posted another update two days later, titled: “OUT ON ELECTION DAY IN BISSAU”
The former Nigerian Leader wrote: “Members of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) Election Mission today conducted visits to some polling stations in Bissau as voting commenced in Guinea-Bissau’s 2025 presidential and parliamentary elections.
“WAEF extends warm regards to the people and authorities of Guinea-Bissau and wishes for a smooth voting process and a peaceful, stable post-election period that strengthens unity and democratic governance.”
However, his last update on Bissau was yesterday, Wednesday, when he wrote about going on a condolence visit to the family of late Guinea Bissau President, Manuel Sefiro Nhamado, “to condole with them on the recent passing of their matriarch and former First Lady, Mrs. Isolina Da Fonseca Nhamajo.”
The post also included five pictures which he took with the bereaved family members.
Safe But Trapped – Jonathan’s Aides
Meanwhile, attempts to confirm the whereabouts and safety of Jonathan from Ikechukwu Eze, his spokesman, did not yield result as his telephone line was out of reach.
However, Ima Niboro, a former spokesman of the ex-President, confirmed to some reporters that the Nigerian leader, who recently marked his 68th birthday was still in Guniea-Bissau when the coup took place
Niboro confirmed speaking with those around Jonathan and got the assurance that the former president is safe but trapped alongside other foreign observers.
WAEF, Observers Condemn Coup
As confusion thickens over the Military intervention, Jonathan, alongside other African leaders, under the aegis of WAEF, have condemned the Military coup in Guinea-Bissau.
A statement released on Wednesday, said, “We express deep concern with the announcement of a coup d’etat by the Armed Forces, while the nation was waiting for the announcement of the results. 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.”
“We deplore this blatant attempt to disrupt the democratic process and the gains that have been achieved thus far. We request the African Union and the ECOWAS to take the necessary steps to restore constitutional order.
“We express concern of the arrests of top officials including those that are in charge of the electoral process. In this regard, we urge the armed forces to immediately release the detained officials to allow the country’s electoral process to proceed to its conclusion.
“We call on the people of Guinea Bissau to remain calm, and we reaffirm our commitment to supporting the Country on its democratic path, and in this respect, we underscore the importance of preserving peace, stability, and the well-being of the Bissau-Guinean people during this sensitive period.”
Meanwhile, President Embalo told French broadcaster France24 in a phone call that “I have been deposed”, adding that he was “currently at the General Staff headquarters”.
This is as emerging reports disclosed that head of the main opposition, PAIGC party, Domingos Simoes Pereira, has also been arrested by the Coupists.
Reporting events from the capital Bissau, Al Jazeera Media Network said; “As well, we’ve just heard that the military is trying to cut off the Internet. There’s a curfew in place.”
It further added that the Army officer leading the coup, Denis N’Canha, served as the Head of the Presidential Guard.
“The man supposed to protect the President himself has put the President under arrest,” Al Jazeera said.
