Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, and several African leaders have been left stranded in Guinea-Bissau after the country’s military staged a coup on Wednesday, abruptly seizing power in the middle of a tense election process.

Jonathan was in the country as part of a 36-member joint observer mission representing the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, and the West African Elders Forum (WAEF). The team was deployed to monitor the presidential election held on Sunday and engage with key political actors to ensure a peaceful democratic outcome.

How the Crisis Began

Before official election results were announced, both leading candidates — incumbent President Umaro Embaló and opposition challenger Fernando Dias — declared themselves winners. Their premature victory claims threw the nation into uncertainty, even as the electoral commission had yet to release verified results.

Amid this political tension, the military stepped in, announcing that it had taken control of the country.

Borders Closed, Leaders Trapped

Following the military takeover, the junta shut down all land and air borders, grounded flights, and suspended civil movement. These sudden restrictions trapped the observer delegation, along with several government officials and foreign dignitaries, inside the country.

Airports were closed, airspace operations halted, and entry and exit points blocked — leaving the mission unable to leave as earlier scheduled.

Observer Mission Condemns the Coup

The AU-ECOWAS-WAEF delegation expressed deep concern over the development, noting that the coup announcement came shortly after they met both candidates, who had assured them of their willingness to respect the people’s verdict.

The mission described the intervention as a serious disruption to Guinea-Bissau’s democratic process, especially at a time when efforts were being made to build trust between stakeholders.

They called on both the African Union and ECOWAS to move swiftly to restore constitutional order and ensure the safety and freedom of all detained public officials.