Former President Goodluck Jonathan is among several African leaders currently trapped in Guinea-Bissau following a coup d’état in the country.
Jonathan is one of 36 high-profile observers on a joint mission of the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the West African Elders Forum (WAEF), who were in Guinea-Bissau to monitor Sunday’s presidential election.
On Wednesday, military officers seized control of the government and suspended the electoral process.
The takeover followed a tense standoff after President Umaro Embaló, who is seeking re-election, and his main opponent, Fernando Dias, both declared themselves winners despite the electoral commission not releasing official results.
The military has since closed all borders and shut down airports.
In a statement after the coup, the joint mission expressed “deep concern” over the military intervention.
“It is regrettable that this announcement came at a time when the missions had just concluded meetings with the two leading presidential candidates, who assured us of their willingness to accept the will of the people,” the statement read.
The observers urged the AU and ECOWAS to take urgent steps to restore constitutional order and demanded the immediate release of all detained officials.
The election observers’ delegation is scheduled to leave Guinea-Bissau on November 29.
