Source: Africa Publicity
Former Nigerian President and a member of the West African Elders Forum, Goodluck Jonathan, has stated that what happened in Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, was not in any way a coup d’etat.Â
According to him, if anything at all, it was a “ceremonial coup,” insisting that the results of the November 23, 2025 presidential election be announced.
Ex-President Jonathan was in Guinea-Bissau when a group of soldiers appeared on state television on Wednesday afternoon, saying they have seized power and taken “total control” of the Portuguese-speaking West African nation. The soldiers went on to order the closure of all land, air and sea borders, further directing the electoral commission of Guinea-Bissau to halt all election activities until “further notice.” The development left Mr. Jonathan stranded and had to be evacuated on a “special flight” alongside his delegation on Thursday night, November 27, 2025.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, November 28, 2025, the ex-Nigerian leader says no military takeover allows an incumbent President to communicate freely with the media while claiming to be in custody.
According to him, his concern stems from his long-standing engagement with Guinea-Bissau’s political stabilisation, dating back to his time as Nigeria’s president and as chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Mr. Jonathan says he would not categorise what happened in Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday as a conventional coup.
According to him, “Specifically, what happened in Guinea-Bissau was not a coup; maybe, for want of a better word, I would say it was a ceremonial coup. It is the president, President Umaro Embaló, that announced the coup.”
He added that “Before later, a military man came up to address the world that they were in charge of everywhere. Embaló had already announced the coup, which is strange.”
Mr. Jonathan went on to say“Not only announcing the coup, but Embaló, while the coup took place, was using his phone and addressing media organisations across the world that he had been arrested.”
