FG Confirms Jonathan Safe, Says Former President Has Left Guinea-Bissau

The Federal Government announced on Thursday that former President Goodluck Jonathan is safe and has departed Guinea-Bissau following the military coup in the country.

Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, disclosed this during an interview with journalists in Abuja on Thursday, November 27, 2025, bringing relief across the nation.

Ebienfa stated: “Former President Goodluck Jonathan is very safe and out of Guinea-Bissau. The former president left on a special flight alongside members of his delegation, including Mohamed Chambas.”

Reports earlier indicated that Jonathan and other African leaders had been trapped in Guinea-Bissau after the military seized power.

The army’s takeover occurred a day before provisional election results were expected in the contest between incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and 47-year-old political newcomer Fernando Dias, who had emerged as Embalo’s main challenger.

Before the coup was officially announced, witnesses reported hearing gunfire for about an hour around the electoral commission headquarters and the presidential palace in Bissau.

On Thursday, Guinea-Bissau’s military high command installed General Horta Nta as leader of the new military government. Nta, formerly the army chief of staff, is known to be a close ally of the deposed President Embalo.

However, ECOWAS spokesperson Joel Ahofodji revealed that Jonathan, who had been in the country as part of the West African Elders Forum to monitor the election, could not be reached earlier on Thursday.

“I wouldn’t say he (Goodluck Jonathan) and others are trapped in Guinea-Bissau, but we do not know his whereabouts,” Ahofodji told Reuters.

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