Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is said to be currently stranded in Guinea-Bissau, along with hundreds of other foreign dignitaries who were on observer mission to the country’s election on November 23rd, 2025.

According to media reports monitored in Uyo, Southern Nigeria, Jonathan led a 36-member joint observation mission by the African Union (AU), the ECOWAS bloc, and the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) to Bissau to monitor the presidential election held on Sunday.

The coup unfolded on Wednesday after the country’s two leading presidential contenders; incumbent Umaro Sissoco Embaló and challenger Fernando Dias, each declared victory even though, the electoral commission had yet to announce official results.

In a televised statement from the army headquarters, officers declared they had assumed control of the state under the name “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order,” suspended the electoral process till further notice, and ordered the closure of all land, air, and sea borders, effectively trapping foreign observers, diplomats, and ordinary travellers. An overnight curfew was also imposed.

Eye witnesses in Bissau reported gunfire ringing out near the electoral commission office, presidential palace and interior ministry shortly before the coup announcement; the army takeover followed within hours.

Late Wednesday night, sources had confirmed that, Jonathan and his delegation were safe but, reportedly held up in their hotels with no clear exit plan.

Flights had been suspended, and all border crossings sealed, leaving many observers uncertain about how and when they will be able to leave.

In a joint statement, the AU-ECOWAS-WAEF observer mission condemned the takeover, describing it as a blatant disruption of the democratic process just as the counted votes were due to be announced.

The statement urged immediate restoration of constitutional order and the release of detained election officials.

The Federal Government, according to sources is monitoring the situation in the crisis-ridden country, and making arrangements to ensure the safety of Jonathan and other Nigerian nationals caught up in the crisis there, and to coordinate their safe return once the coast is clear.