By AWC News Desk | Abuja
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has safely returned to Abuja after being caught in Guinea-Bissau during a sudden military takeover that has thrown the West African nation into its latest phase of political uncertainty.
His return comes as the country grapples with the fallout of a dramatic military move that saw the dissolution of state institutions, suspension of the constitution, and the emergence of an interim leader appointed by the junta.
Jonathan, who was in Bissau as part of ECOWAS diplomatic engagements, departed after military officers temporarily shut down borders, trapping several African dignitaries and delegations inside the country for hours.
Sources disclosed that leaders from Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Cape Verde, and Liberia were also delayed at their hotels and the airport until the junta provided clearance for their departure.
A Military Junta Takes Control
Tension in Guinea-Bissau escalated sharply when soldiers moved into the capital last Tuesday night, sealing key government buildings, shutting down air and land borders, and placing senior government officials under heavy security watch.
The military has since announced the appointment of Brigadier-General Ibraima Camará as interim head of state, pending what they called a “transitional reorganization of national governance.”
The development marks the latest in Guinea-Bissau’s long cycle of coups, attempted coups, and institutional instability. Analysts say this move could roll back years of fragile democratic progress.
African Leaders Temporarily Trapped
When the borders were abruptly closed, several visiting African leaders and delegations found themselves stranded.
Diplomatic reports confirm:
- Some delegations were confined to their hotels for security reasons.
- Flights scheduled to depart Bissau airport were delayed for several hours.
- ECOWAS envoys present for meetings on regional stability had to seek military clearance to leave.
Jonathan’s return to Nigeria last Wednesday morning was part of coordinated efforts by ECOWAS, which negotiated safe passage for all detained delegations.
What Next for Guinea-Bissau?
With the junta consolidating control, the country faces critical uncertainty:
1. Governance Vacuum
Elected institutions have been sidelined, leaving no clear roadmap for return to civilian rule.
The junta insists it will “restore order,” but has not provided any transition timeline.
2. Economic Paralysis
Guinea-Bissau, already one of the poorest nations in the world, risks severe economic shocks.
The border closures disrupted:
- Trade
- Banking operations
- Public services
The cashew-nut-driven economy, already fragile, could spiral further without international support.
3. Rising Regional Instability
This coup adds to the troubling list of West African states facing military takeovers—Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and now Guinea-Bissau—heightening fears of a cascading democratic decline across the region.
What Is ECOWAS Doing?
ECOWAS has condemned the development and is expected to hold an extraordinary summit on Guinea-Bissau within days. Key steps under consideration include:
- Dispatching a high-level fact-finding mission to Bissau
- Possible targeted sanctions against coup leaders
- Regional pressure for an immediate return to constitutional rule
- Strengthening diplomatic security for visiting African leaders
Under its Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, ECOWAS maintains a zero-tolerance stance for unconstitutional changes of government. Guinea-Bissau could face suspension from regional decision-making bodies if the junta does not back down.
Jonathan’s Return: A Relief for Nigeria, A Warning for the Region
Jonathan’s safe return has been met with relief in Abuja, but the incident underscores growing insecurity even for high-profile diplomats in West Africa.
Security experts warn that regional instability may begin affecting diplomatic missions, cross-border trade, counter-terrorism operations, and humanitarian access.
AWC Outlook
As Guinea-Bissau stands at yet another crossroads, West Africa confronts a sobering reality: democracy in the region is under historic threat.
What ECOWAS does next will determine not only the fate of Guinea-Bissau but the future stability of an entire region increasingly tested by coups, political tensions, and weakening governance structures.
AWC will continue to monitor developments closely.
