Jonathan, alongside hundreds of foreign observers, had travelled to Guinea-Bissau for the country's hotly contested presidential election.
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is currently stuck in Guinea-Bissau following a military coup in the West African country.
Earlier on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, a group of military officers announced the takeover of the government following an acrimonious presidential election.
Bissau-Guineans went to the polls on Sunday in an election that pitted now-ousted President Umaro Sissoco Embalo against his main challenger, Fernando Dias.
Jonathan, alongside hundreds of foreign observers, had travelled to Guinea-Bissau for the country's hotly contested presidential election
However, controversy broke out on Tuesday after the two leading contestants claimed victory, even though the umpire, the National Electoral Commission, is expected to announce official results on Thursday.
Why Jonathan Got Trapped in Guinea-Bissau
As the populace struggled to make sense of the confusion and tension reached a fever pitch, a group of military officers claimed to have taken “total control” of the country on Wednesday.
The officers, who called themselves the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order”, ordered the immediate suspension of the electoral process “until further notice”.
The coupists also ordered the closure of all land, air and sea borders and an overnight curfew.
According to reports, hundreds of foreign observers who raced to the airport in a bid to leave the country after the coup was announced are currently stranded.
Jonathan, who heads the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) observer group, had posted an update on social media upon arriving in the country.
“We arrived in Bissau this evening as members of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) Election Mission ahead of Guinea-Bissau’s presidential and parliamentary polls scheduled for November 23, 2025. We wish the people of Guinea-Bissau a peaceful, inclusive and transparent election,” his post read.
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