When former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan arrived in Guinea-Bissau to lead the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) Election Observation Mission, the expectation was simple: monitor the polls, encourage peace, and oversee a smooth democratic exercise. What he did not anticipate was finding himself at the centre of a sudden military takeover — one that triggered an urgent scramble by regional leaders to secure his evacuation.
Jonathan had been in the country with a team of senior observers, diplomats, and electoral specialists to monitor the presidential and legislative elections held the previous Sunday. Tension was already rising as political actors disputed portions of the process, even before results were formally tabulated. Still, few expected the situation to deteriorate as quickly as it did.
According to Jonathan, the observer mission was still carrying out its mandate when news broke that soldiers had taken control of key government institutions. The military declared it was assuming authority over state operations — effectively halting the political process the mission had come to supervise. Within hours, gunfire, troop movements, and restricted access to government facilities signaled a deepening crisis.
Speaking to journalists afterwards, Jonathan recounted how the unfolding coup forced an urgent diplomatic response. Both Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara immediately dispatched aircraft to evacuate him and his team from the increasingly volatile environment.
“I thank President Tinubu and President Ouattara,” he said. “Both sent planes to evacuate us during the Guinea-Bissau coup. Côte d’Ivoire is closer and got landing permit faster due to regional ties. We asked Nigeria to stand down since the Ivorian plane had arrived.”
He explained that the Ivorian aircraft was able to land first due to geographical proximity and quicker clearance from authorities on the ground. Once it arrived, his delegation boarded quickly, and Nigeria’s plane was instructed to hold back.
For Jonathan, the swiftness of the response underscored the seriousness of the moment — and the importance of regional cooperation at a time when political instability has become a recurring threat in West Africa. Several countries in the sub-region have experienced military takeovers in recent years, raising concerns about democratic backsliding.
Despite the tense situation, Jonathan emphasized that his team was able to depart safely thanks to the immediate intervention of the two presidents. He expressed gratitude for what he described as responsible, decisive action from leaders who understood the risks facing foreign observers trapped in a sudden crisis.
Before departing, Jonathan and other regional and continental observer heads jointly condemned the military takeover. They described it as a deliberate attempt to derail the electoral process and undermine democratic governance.
As Guinea-Bissau once again faces political uncertainty, Jonathan’s experience offers a stark reminder of the fragile nature of elections in conflict-prone environments — and the delicate role played by international observers, who can quickly shift from mediators to evacuees when instability erupts.
The former president’s account also highlights the growing security challenges confronting West Africa’s democratic institutions. For now, Jonathan is safe, but the questions raised by the turbulent events in Guinea-Bissau remain far from resolved.
