Former President Goodluck Jonathan has described the recent military coup in Guinea Bissau as more distressing than his defeat to Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 presidential election.
In a video interview, Jonathan said the event was particularly upsetting due to his long-term efforts to restore democracy in Guinea Bissau.
He had travelled to the country as part of the West African Elders Forum to observe presidential and parliamentary elections. However, while observer groups from the African Union, ECOWAS, and others were still monitoring, the military seized control.
This left Jonathan and his team stranded and raised concerns for their safety. He was later evacuated and returned to Nigeria on Thursday.
Jonathan said, “What happened in Guinea Bissau is very disturbing to me as someone who believes in democracy. Honestly, it hurt more than when I called Buhari to congratulate him after losing the election.”
He recounted his involvement in Guinea Bissau’s political crisis since 2011, noting that he helped ensure the 2013 elections were conducted.
Describing the situation as unusual, Jonathan questioned the legitimacy of the coup, pointing out that President Umaro Embaló announced his own arrest while still speaking to international media on the phone.
He noted reports from ECOWAS and AU confirming the elections were peaceful, and expressed concern that Embaló’s announcement of a coup before military action was strange and unprecedented.
“It’s painful that Embaló himself declared the military takeover. It’s unacceptable. This wasn’t a normal coup — more like a ceremonial one because the president announced it himself before the military even spoke.”
Jonathan criticized the idea of a battle to reclaim power, urging ECOWAS and the AU to release the full election results and called for the release of opposition leader Fernando Dias, who is in military custody without charges.
On his evacuation, Jonathan said Côte d’Ivoire airlifted him and his team after receiving clearance faster than Nigeria. Although Nigeria also arranged a plane, the Ivorian aircraft was already en route, so he returned on that flight.
This decision was made to avoid unnecessary duplication and delay, especially given Côte d’Ivoire’s proximity and close ties to Guinea Bissau.
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