Guinea-Bissau Military Takeover Is ‘Ceremonial Coup’, Jonathan Declares

Guinea-Bissau Military Takeover - Jonathan Labels It a “Ceremonial Coup”

In late November 2025, Guinea-Bissau was thrust into political turmoil when its military declared “total control” of the country, effectively disrupting the democratic process and trapping delegates from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The incident drew swift condemnation from Nigeria’s Federal Government, which described the development as a grave threat to democracy and regional stability. Among those caught in the crisis was former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who was in Guinea-Bissau leading the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission. He was later evacuated safely by a special flight alongside his delegation.

Upon his return to Nigeria, Jonathan addressed the situation in an interview, offering a striking perspective. He insisted that what unfolded in Guinea-Bissau was not a conventional coup but something he termed “a ceremonial coup.” His reasoning stemmed from the unusual manner in which events transpired.

According to Jonathan, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló himself announced that he had been arrested before the military made any official declaration. 

Even more unusually, Embaló continued to use his phone to address international media outlets during the supposed coup, a scenario Jonathan found inconsistent with the typical conduct of military takeovers in West Africa. He questioned the authenticity of the incident, asking rhetorically, “Who is fooling whom?”

Jonathan contrasted the Guinea-Bissau episode with his experiences mediating in other West African nations, such as Mali, where military coups followed more traditional patterns of seizing power and silencing the sitting president. He expressed concern that the Guinea-Bissau situation undermined democratic norms and called on ECOWAS and the African Union to ensure that election results were announced promptly and transparently. He emphasized that the military should not interfere with the democratic process, stressing that the results already collated by observers must be respected and made public.

Drawing from his past role as Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, Jonathan recalled the 2010 Côte d’Ivoire elections, where he stood firm in insisting that Alassane Ouattara be sworn in after international observers confirmed his victory over incumbent Laurent Gbagbo. He used this example to underscore the importance of respecting electoral outcomes, regardless of political pressures or military interference.

Jonathan’s remarks highlight both the fragility of democracy in parts of West Africa and the need for regional bodies to act decisively in safeguarding electoral integrity. His characterization of the Guinea-Bissau takeover as “ceremonial” reflects skepticism about the legitimacy of the military’s actions and raises broader questions about political stability in the region. 

For Nigeria and ECOWAS, the incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in consolidating democratic governance across West Africa.