Jonathan, who was in the country as part of an African Union, ECOWAS, and West African Elders Forum election observer mission, said the circumstances surrounding the so-called coup were suspicious and unlike any real military takeover.
Guinea-Bissau’s military had claimed power after the detention of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, with General Horta Inta-A Na Man sworn in on November 27, 2025. But Jonathan argued that the sequence of events contradicted known coup patterns.
According to him, it was unusual that President Embaló himself first announced the alleged coup and even spoke freely to international media while supposedly under arrest. Jonathan questioned how a former senior military officer like Embaló could be easily overthrown, suggesting a more complicated political manoeuvre.
He said military coups do not allow deposed leaders to make public statements, address the press or communicate openly during the takeover.
Jonathan described the situation as “disturbing” for democracy in the sub-region, lamenting that he felt “more pain” watching the events unfold than when he conceded defeat to Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.
The former president warned that the political drama in Guinea-Bissau raises serious concerns about democratic stability in West Africa.
