Former President Goodluck Jonathan and other African election observers have been stranded in Guinea-Bissau after the military seized power, halted the election process, and shut the country’s borders.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan is among dozens of African leaders and election observers trapped in Guinea-Bissau after the military seized control of the government on Wednesday, suspending the electoral process and shutting all borders and airports.
Jonathan is part of a 36-member joint AU, ECOWAS, and WAEF observer mission monitoring Sunday’s presidential election, which descended into crisis after President Umaro Embaló and his main rival, Fernando Dias, both declared victory before official results were released.
The joint mission expressed “deep concern” over the coup, saying, “It’s regrettable that this announcement came at a time when the missions had just concluded meeting with the two leading presidential candidates, who assured us of their willingness to accept the will of the people.”
The observers urged AU and ECOWAS to act swiftly to restore constitutional order and demanded the release of all detained officials, noting they are scheduled to depart the country on November 29.