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Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, is among several African leaders currently stranded in Guinea-Bissau after a coup d’état unfolded in the country.
Jonathan is part of a 36-member team of high-profile observers representing the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the West African Elders Forum (WAEF). The delegation had been in the country to monitor Sunday’s presidential election.
However, on Wednesday, military officers seized control of the government and halted the electoral process entirely. The takeover occurred after both President Umaro Embaló, who is seeking another term, and his main challenger, Fernando Dias, simultaneously declared themselves winners—even though the electoral commission had yet to announce official results.
Following the coup, the military moved swiftly to shut all borders and close the nation’s airports.
In a statement released after the takeover, the joint observer mission expressed “deep concern” about the military intervention in Guinea-Bissau.
“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 statement reads.
The observers called on the AU and ECOWAS to act swiftly to restore constitutional order and demanded the immediate release of officials who have been detained.
The election observers’ delegation is expected to depart Guinea-Bissau on 29 November.
