Jonathan Evacuated as Guinea-Bissau Falls to Military Junta
By: NaijaEnquirer Staff
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has been safely evacuated from Guinea-Bissau after the military seized power on Wednesday, halting the release of election results and arresting President Umaro Sissoco Embaló. Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Jonathan, who was in the country leading the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission, departed via a special flight with members of his delegation, including Dr. Ibn Chambas.
The delegation had been monitoring Sunday’s presidential and legislative elections before the process was abruptly dissolved by soldiers who took control of the capital.
Military Halts Election Process, Detains Leaders
The coup unfolded rapidly in Bissau, with soldiers shutting borders, suspending media operations, and taking control of national institutions. Heavy gunfire was heard around the presidential palace as troops detained Embaló along with senior security officials. Opposition leader Domingos Simões Pereira, previously barred from contesting the election, was also arrested.
Military officers claimed the takeover was necessary to foil a plot involving drug traffickers and the illegal importation of weapons intended to “alter the constitutional order.”
Junta Installs Transitional Leader as ECOWAS, Nigeria React
On Thursday, the junta installed General Horta N’Tam, the army chief of staff, as transitional head of state for a one-year period. Sworn in under tight security at military headquarters, N’Tam asserted that the intervention was meant “to block operations that aimed to threaten our democracy,” adding that the detained leaders were being “well treated.”
He announced a mandatory curfew, suspension of all electoral processes, and temporary shutdown of local media programming. While borders were initially sealed, the junta later confirmed they had been reopened.
Nigeria condemned the coup as a “blatant violation” of ECOWAS protocols, calling for the unconditional release of all detainees. ECOWAS reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for unconstitutional power grabs, a stance echoed by the UN, the AU, and Portugal.
Another Flashpoint in West Africa’s Democratic Crisis
Guinea-Bissau, one of the world’s poorest nations, has long battled chronic instability linked to drug trafficking networks operating between Latin America and Europe. Since its independence in 1974, the country has witnessed four successful coups and several failed attempts.
The latest takeover adds to rising concerns over democratic backsliding across West Africa. Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea have all experienced military takeovers since 2020, with juntas citing corruption, insecurity, and political disputes as justification.
Analysts warn that unless ECOWAS strengthens preventive diplomacy and supports deep governance reforms, the region may continue to face repeated democratic disruptions.
