Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is currently stranded in Guinea-Bissau after the country’s military announced a takeover and suspended the electoral process.
The coup was declared on Wednesday, just as officials were preparing to release results from the presidential election held earlier in the week.
In a televised statement, the group calling itself the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order” said it had halted the electoral process “until further notice,” imposed a nationwide overnight curfew, and shut all land, air and sea borders.
Truthlive news international gathered that President Umaro Sissoco Embaló confirmed in a call with France24 that he had been detained.
“I have been deposed. I am currently at the general staff headquarters,” he said.
Domingos Simões Pereira, leader of the main opposition PAIGC party, has also been arrested.
An observer quoted in local reports said the coup was led by Denis N’Canha, an army officer previously responsible for protecting the president.
Jonathan travelled to the country as head of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) election observer mission.
Before the coup, he posted updates describing the mission’s work, noting the team had visited several polling stations and hoped for a peaceful and transparent process.
Attempts to contact his spokesperson were unsuccessful, but former aide Ima Niboro told Daily Trust that Jonathan had personally assured him he was safe.
In a joint statement, Jonathan and other African leaders monitoring the elections condemned the military takeover.
“We express deep concern with the announcement of a coup d’état by the armed forces while the nation was waiting for the release of the results,” the statement said.
“We deplore this blatant attempt to disrupt the democratic process. We request the African Union and ECOWAS to take the necessary steps to restore constitutional order.”
The group also urged citizens of Guinea-Bissau to remain calm.