BISSAU: Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and several other international election observers have been trapped in Guinea-Bissau following Wednesday’s sudden military takeover.
Jonathan, who led the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) observer mission, was in the country alongside hundreds of foreign and regional election observers monitoring the presidential and parliamentary polls.
The observers, many of whom rushed to the airport after the coup was announced, are currently stranded due to the closure of all land, air, and sea borders.
The situation deteriorated after a group of military officers calling themselves the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order declared they had taken total control of the country.
This comes after both leading candidates, incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition contender Fernando Dias, separately declared victory.
The coup leaders suspended the electoral process indefinitely, imposed a nationwide curfew, and reportedly moved to cut off internet access.
Embaló confirmed to France24 that he had been deposed and was being held at the military headquarters.
Opposition leader Domingos Simoes Pereira has also been arrested.
Jonathan, who had been sharing updates from Bissau since his arrival, last posted about paying a condolence visit to the family of former President Manuel Sefiro Nhamajo.
Efforts to reach Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan’s spokesman, were unsuccessful, but former presidential aide Ima Niboro said he had spoken with individuals close to Jonathan who confirmed that the ex-president and other international observers are safe but unable to leave the country.
In a joint statement, Jonathan and other African leaders on the observer missions condemned the coup, describing it as a blatant attempt to disrupt the democratic process.
They urged the African Union and ECOWAS to intervene and called for the immediate release of detained electoral officials.
They appealed to the people of Guinea-Bissau to remain calm as they expressed commitment to supporting the country’s democratic stability throughout the crisis.
