Goodluck Jonathan Trapped in Guinea-Bissau as Military Officers Announce Takeover
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is reportedly stranded in Guinea-Bissau following a sudden military takeover announced on Wednesday. Jonathan, who is in the country as part of an international observer mission for the presidential election, is among hundreds of foreign delegates currently unable to leave.
According to reports, foreign observers and diplomats rushed to the airport shortly after the announcement of the coup but were unable to depart due to the closure of land, air and sea borders ordered by the military officers.
The group of officers, identifying themselves as the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order, declared they had taken “total control” of the country. Their announcement came just a day after both leading candidates—incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and his challenger Fernando Dias—claimed victory even though the electoral commission had not released official results.
The coup leaders also announced the suspension of the electoral process “until further notice” and imposed an overnight curfew across the country.
President Embaló, speaking to France24 by phone, said, “I have been deposed,” adding that he was being held at the military general staff headquarters.
In addition, Domingos Simões Pereira, leader of the main opposition PAIGC party, has reportedly been arrested, according to sources within the observer mission.
