27th November, 2025
Nigeria’s former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, is currently unable to leave Guinea-Bissau following a military takeover that has suspended the country’s electoral process and trapped international observers.
Dr. Jonathan, who heads the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) observer mission, was deployed alongside 36 high-level officials from the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and WAEF to monitor Sunday’s presidential election. Also stranded is Mozambique’s former President, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi.
Military officers identifying themselves as the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order” announced on Wednesday that they had assumed complete control of Guinea-Bissau. The announcement came after incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias both separately declared victory before official results were released by the electoral commission.
The military leadership, reportedly led by Denis N’Canha, who previously commanded the presidential guard, has closed all land, air, and sea borders while imposing a nighttime curfew across the nation. President Embaló confirmed his removal to France24, stating, “I have been deposed.”
In a strongly worded joint statement, the observer missions condemned the military intervention. “We express deep concern with the announcement of coup d’état by the armed forces while the nation was waiting for the announcement of results,” the statement read.
The observers described the timing as particularly troubling, noting they had just concluded meetings with the two leading candidates who had pledged to respect the electoral outcome.
The missions have called on AU and ECOWAS to take immediate action to restore constitutional order and demanded the release of detained officials to allow the electoral process to reach its conclusion.
Despite the ongoing crisis, the delegation remains scheduled to depart on November 29, though the continued airport shutdown casts doubt on their exit. Sources close to Dr. Jonathan’s media team confirmed the former president is safe but currently unable to leave the West African nation.
Guinea-Bissau has experienced numerous coups and attempted takeovers since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974, highlighting the country’s long-standing political instability.