Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is among dozens of African leaders and election observers currently unable to leave Guinea-Bissau after the country’s military seized power and suspended the presidential election process.
Jonathan is part of a 36-member high-level observer mission 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 West African nation to monitor Sunday’s presidential election.
Okay News reports that the political situation deteriorated rapidly on Wednesday when military officers took control of the government, halted the release of election results and shut down all borders and airports, effectively trapping foreign observers and officials.
The coup unfolded after both incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and his main challenger Fernando Dias each declared themselves winners despite the electoral commission not releasing official results. The military intervened shortly after, citing the escalating political dispute.
In a joint statement issued after the takeover, the observer mission said it was “deeply concerned” about the military intervention, describing it as a major setback for democracy in the region.
“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 said.
The mission urged the AU and ECOWAS to take urgent steps to restore constitutional order, calling for the immediate release of all detained officials and a swift return to democratic processes.
Jonathan and the other observers were originally scheduled to depart the country on November 29, but with airports closed and airspace restricted, their exit remains uncertain.
