Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is reportedly stranded in Guinea-Bissau after a military takeover on Wednesday led to the abrupt closure of the country’s borders.
Jonathan, who had travelled to Bissau as part of an international team of election observers, is unable to leave along with hundreds of other foreign delegates. Although the West African nation held its legislative and presidential elections, the official results have yet to be announced.
Chaos unfolded shortly after the coup announcement, with many observers and foreign nationals racing to the airport in an attempt to depart. They are now stuck as the military has sealed all exit routes.
The development comes just one day after both incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias declared victory. In a televised statement, military officers identifying themselves as the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order” proclaimed they had assumed “total control” of the country.
The junta has suspended the electoral process “until further notice,” closed all land, air and sea borders, and imposed a nationwide nighttime curfew.
