Former Nigerian President Jonathan trapped in Guinea-Bissau amid military coup

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who was leading an election observation mission, is currently stranded in Guinea-Bissau after military officers seized power and shut down the country’s borders.
‎
Jonathan, head of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) observer group, is safe but unable to leave Bissau alongside hundreds of other foreign dignitaries following the coup announced on Wednesday.
‎
The military takeover, led by Brigadier General Denis N’Canha, Head of the Military Office of the Presidency, halted the electoral process just one day before official results were due from the presidential election.
‎
The coup follows days of political tension after both incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias de Costa prematurely claimed victory in Sunday’s poll. The military command, identifying itself as the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order, suspended the electoral process, closed all land, air, and sea borders, and imposed an overnight curfew.
‎
President Embaló has confirmed he was deposed and is currently detained at the General Staff headquarters. The head of the main opposition party, Domingos Simões Pereira, has also reportedly been arrested.
‎
The military takeover was led by Brigadier General Denis N’Canha, an officer who previously served as the President’s own security personnel, having held the position of Head of the Military Office of the Presidency.
‎
Jonathan and other African leaders issued a statement condemning the military intervention, urging the African Union and ECOWAS to take necessary steps to restore constitutional order and demand the immediate release of all detained officials.
‎
‎
‎
‎
‎