Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is among hundreds of foreign dignitaries and election observers stranded in Guinea-Bissau after the country's armed forces abruptly seized power, suspended the electoral process, and shut all borders.

The intervention came as the nation awaited official results from its presidential and parliamentary elections.

Jonathan, who chairs the West African Elders Forum observer mission, arrived ahead of the polls and had been monitoring voting activities across Bissau when the military takeover was announced.

It was gathered that several observer groups hurried to the airport soon after news of the coup broke, only to discover that outgoing flights had been halted.

(A group of officers, identifying themselves as the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order, declared they had taken "total control" of the state.

Their proclamation followed a day of political tension in which both incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and challenger Fernando Dias separately claimed victory.

Coupists halt election process

The military ordered an immediate suspension of the electoral process, the closure of land, air, and sea borders, and the imposition of a night-time curfew.

Embalo later confirmed his removal in a call to France24, saying he was "currently at the general staff headquarters".

The crisis deepened as Domingos Simoes Pereira, leader of the main opposition PAIGC party, was arrested. Reports suggested the military also attempted to cut internet access as part of efforts to tighten its grip.

Haque, a local political analyst speaking to international media, noted that the coup was led by Denis N'Canha, who previously headed the presidential guard.

Haque said, "The man supposed to protect the president himself has put the president under arrest."

Jonathan, who had been providing routine social media updates from Bissau before the crisis erupted, described his arrival as part of a mission to promote "peaceful, inclusive and transparent elections".

On election day, he reported that WAEF delegates had visited polling stations across the capital, sending "warm regards" to citizens and hoping for a "stable post-election period that strengthens unity and democratic governance".

His last public update came a day before the coup, when he visited the family of former President Manuel Sefiro Nhamado to offer condolences on the passing of former First Lady Isolina Da Fonseca Nhamajo.

Attempts to reach Jonathan's spokesperson, Ikechukwu Eze, were unsuccessful as his phone line was unreachable. However, Ima Niboro, who once served as Jonathan's spokesman, confirmed the former president remained in Guinea-Bissau.

Jonathan's safety confirmed

Niboro said he had spoken with persons close to Jonathan who assured him the Nigerian statesman was safe, although unable to leave the country due to the closure of all borders.

Jonathan and several other African leaders in the country issued a joint statement condemning the military intervention.

The statement said they viewed the developments with "deep concern", adding that the action came shortly after observers had met both leading candidates, who had signalled their willingness to respect the outcome of the vote.

The leaders described the takeover as "a blatant attempt to disrupt the democratic process and the gains that have been achieved thus far".

Call for AU, ECOWAS intervention

They called on the African Union and ECOWAS to take urgent steps to restore constitutional order and demanded the immediate release of detained officials responsible for overseeing the election.

The statement urged the people of Guinea-Bissau to remain calm, reaffirming the leaders' commitment to supporting the country's democratic journey and emphasising the need to safeguard peace, stability, and public welfare during what they termed a sensitive and uncertain period. (Business Insider Africa, but headline rejigged)

PHOTO: Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has been trapped in Guinea Bissau after a military coup halted the country’s elections and closed all borders. [X, formerly Twitter]