Former President Goodluck Jonathan is currently stranded in Guinea-Bissau following the country’s sudden coup d’état.
Jonathan is among 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). They were in the country to monitor Sunday’s presidential election.
As of Wednesday night, the African leaders were reported safe in their hotel rooms. However, flights in and out of Guinea-Bissau had been suspended, leaving many observers—who were scheduled to depart either last night or today (Thursday)—stranded. With no functioning government authority, there was no one to discuss exit plans with.
The mission, which had just rounded off meetings with the two leading presidential candidates, called on the AU and ECOWAS to urgently restore constitutional order and demanded the immediate release of detained officials.
In a joint statement, Jonathan and other African leaders strongly condemned the military takeover.
We express deep concern with the announcement of a coup d’etat by the armed forces, while the nation was waiting for the announcement of the results. 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.”
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