By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
CONFUSION DEEPENED across Guinea-Bissau as the country’s military shut down the presidential election process and blocked all exit routes, leaving former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and dozens of African observers unable to leave.
The disruption unfolded mid-week after senior military officers seized authority and ordered a halt to the electoral process, according to the details contained in a press release.
The release stated that Jonathan is one of 36 high-profile observers deployed under a joint mission of the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Elders Forum (WAEF).
The group had travelled to Guinea-Bissau to monitor the presidential election held on Sunday.
Their presence formed part of the regional effort to assess the voting environment and observe the declaration of official results.
However, military officers seized control of the government on Wednesday after both President Umaro Embaló, who is seeking re-election, and leading rival Fernando Dias each declared themselves winners before the electoral commission released certified results.
According to the press release, this dual claim prompted the intervention that immediately suspended the electoral process.
The military ordered the closure of all borders and airports, cutting off movement across land, air and sea.
Observers who moved quickly toward the airport after hearing of the takeover found themselves unable to depart, the release added.
The joint mission issued a statement expressing “deep concern” about the military intervention.
It noted that the announcement came shortly after representatives of the mission concluded meetings with the two leading candidates.
The statement also noted that both contenders had assured the delegation of their willingness to accept the will of the people, making the sudden military action a significant setback to the monitoring exercise.
The mission further described the development as “regrettable,” emphasising that the assurances from the candidates had suggested a commitment to a peaceful transition through established democratic processes.
The observers urged the AU and ECOWAS to take urgent steps to restore constitutional order.
They called for the immediate release of all officials detained during the takeover.
The delegation had been scheduled to leave Guinea-Bissau on 29 November, as outlined in the press release, but that itinerary has been disrupted by the military’s actions.
The situation in Guinea-Bissau prompted an urgent response in Nigeria’s parliament.
Nigeria’s Rep Calls for Urgent Intervention
The House of Representatives called on the Federal Government to deploy all necessary diplomatic measures to ensure Jonathan’s safe return.
According to the Rep’s press release, the lawmakers also urged federal authorities to secure the evacuation of other Nigerians reportedly trapped in the country following the shutdown of all borders.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance moved by House Leader Prof Julius Ihonvbere.
He informed the chamber that Jonathan, who travelled to the country strictly in his capacity as an election observer, became trapped when the military took over while the results were awaiting official declaration.
The House resolved that Nigeria should intensify its diplomatic engagement to facilitate the return of the former president and any Nigerian nationals affected by the situation.
Media reports cited in the release indicated that hundreds of foreign observers were stranded as borders closed.
Many attempted to reach the airport as the news spread, but the military’s immediate lockdown left them without exit options.
As noted in the statement, foreign observers remained in the country under restricted movement while awaiting further instructions from regional authorities or evacuation plans once conditions permit.
The group of military officers leading the takeover identified themselves as the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order.”
The officers also declared that they had assumed “total control” of the state.
They ordered the suspension of the electoral process “until further notice” and announced an overnight curfew, along with the closure of all land, air and sea borders, adding that the scope of the military’s orders extended across the country.
President Embaló reportedly confirmed the development through a phone call to French broadcaster France24, stating, “I have been deposed,” and adding that he was “currently at the general staff headquarters.”
Press information also noted that Domingos Simões Pereira, the head of the main opposition PAIGC party, had been arrested.
Observers reported attempts by the military to cut off internet access, alongside the curfew restrictions, adding that these actions formed part of the command’s immediate control measures.
The military officer said to be leading the coup, Denis N’Canha, previously served as the head of the presidential guard, the release stated.
This detail reiterated the internal tensions around the presidency and highlighted the depth of the rift that culminated in the takeover.
The observers’ joint mission further stressed its call for swift regional action, stressing that restoration of constitutional order and the safety of personnel remained priorities, highlighting the mandate of the observers, who had been present, to ensure transparent monitoring of the electoral process before the sudden halt.
The House of Representatives’ intervention swiftly called for continuous diplomatic engagement.
Members urged federal authorities to collaborate with regional partners to secure Jonathan’s return and address the situation affecting other nationals.
They said their resolution reflected the urgency arising from continued border closures and the absence of a timeline for reopening, according to the release.
