Jonathan, Other African Leaders Trapped In Guinea-Bissau after Coup

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is among dozens of African leaders stranded in Guinea-Bissau after the military seized power and suspended the country’s electoral process on Wednesday.

Jonathan is part of a 36-member joint election observation mission of the African Union (AU), ECOWAS and the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) deployed to monitor Sunday’s presidential election.

The coup unfolded after both incumbent President Umaro Embaló and his main challenger, Fernando Dias, separately claimed victory even though the electoral commission had not released official results. Soldiers subsequently took control of state institutions, closed all borders and shut down airports.

 The observer mission, in a joint statement, said it was deeply concerned about the military intervention, calling it regrettable that the takeover came shortly after meeting the two top candidates, who had assured them they would respect the will of the voters.

The mission urged the au and Ecowas to take urgent steps to restore constitutional order and demanded the immediate release of all detained officials. The delegation is scheduled to depart Guinea-Bissau tomorrow (November 29), but it’s now unclear if the airport shutdown will allow their exit.