Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who was in Guinea-Bissau as part of an international election observation mission, is presently under military protection as the country reels from a fresh military takeover. With tensions escalating rapidly, security forces are said to be arranging his safe exit from the country.
On Wednesday, November 26, armed officers in Guinea-Bissau declared they had taken “total control” of the country. They suspended the ongoing presidential and legislative elections, closed all land, air, and sea borders and imposed a nationwide curfew until further notice.
The move followed a contested election in which both the incumbent, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, and his challenger, Fernando Dias, each declared victory, even though official results were yet to be released.
Gunfire was reported near the capital city’s key government buildings — including the presidential palace and the national electoral commission headquarters — hours before the military’s declaration.
Following the takeover, Embaló confirmed that he had been arrested on November 26 at around 1 p.m. while in his office at the presidential palace. Also reportedly detained were the head of the armed forces, his deputy, and the interior minister.
The group of military officers — calling itself the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order” — said their intervention was necessary to address alleged threats to national security, including a purported plan to manipulate election results involving political actors and drug traffickers.
Multiple respected observer organisations, including African Union (AU), ECOWAS, and the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) condemned the takeover as a grave blow to the electoral process. Their joint statement — signed by the heads of the missions, including Goodluck Jonathan — denounced the coup as “a blatant attempt to disrupt the democratic process.”
They also called for the immediate release of detained officials so that vote-counting and the electoral process can resume properly.
Nigeria calls for safe repatriation of Jonathan and other Nigerians
Back in Abuja, the House of Representatives of Nigeria adopted a resolution urging the Federal Government to use diplomatic channels to secure the safe return of Goodluck Jonathan and other Nigerians reportedly trapped in Guinea-Bissau as a result of the coup.
A senior government source confirmed that Jonathan is “safe” for now and that arrangements are underway to bring him back to Nigeria.
