Jonathan, other African leaders stranded in Guinea-Bissau after coup

Former President Goodluck Jonathan and several other African leaders have been left stranded in Guinea-Bissau following a military coup that disrupted the West African nation’s electoral process.

Jonathan, along with 35 other senior officials, is in the country as part of a joint observer mission of the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, and the West African Elders Forum (WAEF).

The delegation had been monitoring the November 23 presidential election when soldiers moved to overthrow the government on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.

The military officers announced they were taking “total control” of Guinea-Bissau, adding that they have deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and shut down the country.

In a statement on Wednesday, the joint observer mission expressed “deep concern” over the military takeover, describing the intervention as unfortunate, especially after both leading candidates ― Embalo and Fernando Dias ―  had earlier assured the delegation of their readiness to respect the outcome of the election.

Military takes over Guinea-Bissau after election violence

The observers urged the AU and ECOWAS to act swiftly to restore constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau and called for the immediate release of detained government officials.

The delegation is scheduled to depart the country on Friday, November 29.

Jonathan had, in a post on his Facebook page on Sunday wrote: “OUT ON ELECTION DAY IN BISSAU: Members of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) Election Mission today conducted visits to some polling stations in Bissau as voting commenced in Guinea-Bissau’s 2025 presidential and parliamentary elections.

“WAEF extends warm regards to the people and authorities of Guinea-Bissau and wishes for a smooth voting process and a peaceful, stable post-election period that strengthens unity and democratic governance.”

The Star