Former President Goodluck Jonathan is currently unable to leave Guinea-Bissau after the military announced a takeover on Wednesday.
Jonathan, along with hundreds of foreign observers, had travelled to monitor the elections whose results were about to be announced.
Reports said many observers rushed to the airport after hearing news of the coup, but they were unable to fly out.
A group of military officers later claimed they had taken “total control” of the country.
This happened a day after both leading candidates — President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and Fernando Dias — separately declared victory.
Soldiers suspend elections
The officers, who call themselves the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order”, suspended the electoral process “until further notice”.
They also closed all land, air and sea borders, and imposed a night-time curfew.
President Embaló told France24 in a phone call that he had been removed from office and was being held at the military headquarters.
Domingos Simões Pereira, the main opposition leader, was also arrested. A UN representative, Haque, said the military was trying to cut off the internet and that the coup was being led by Denis N’Canha, the head of the presidential guard.
Jonathan’s election mission
Jonathan had arrived in Guinea-Bissau as the head of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) observer mission. On arrival, he posted a message wishing the country a peaceful and transparent election.
On election day, he shared another update, saying the mission had visited polling stations and hoped for a smooth process and a stable post-election period.
His last update came on Tuesday, when he said he visited the family of the late former First Lady, Mrs. Isolina Da Fonseca Nhamajo, to offer condolences.
Former president confirmed safe but stranded
Attempts to reach Jonathan’s spokesperson, Ikechukwu Eze, were unsuccessful as his phone could not be reached.
However, Ima Niboro, the former spokesman of Jonathan, confirmed that the former president was still in Guinea-Bissau when the coup happened.
Niboro said he had spoken with people close to Jonathan who assured him that he is safe but trapped with other foreign observers.
Jonathan and other leaders condemn the coup
In a joint statement, Jonathan and other African leaders in the country expressed concern over the coup announcement.
They said it was unfortunate because they had just met with the two leading candidates, who both promised to accept the outcome of the election.
They condemned the attempt to disrupt the democratic process and called on the African Union and ECOWAS to help restore constitutional order.
The statement also demanded the release of detained electoral officials so the election process could continue.
It urged the people of Guinea-Bissau to remain calm and highlighted the need to protect peace and stability during this tense period.
