Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed claims that a real coup took place in Guinea-Bissau, insisting that the events announced on Wednesday were unusual and did not resemble a genuine military takeover.
Jonathan, who was in Guinea-Bissau as part of a joint election observer mission deployed by the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, and the West African Elders Forum, questioned how a sitting president could be the one to announce a coup against himself.
He noted that President Umaro Sissoco Embaló—who had been in office until the announcement—publicly declared that he had been overthrown even before a military officer later appeared to claim that the armed forces had taken over.
General Horta Inta-A Na Man was subsequently sworn in on November 27, 2025, following what authorities described as a military takeover that removed Embaló from power. Military officials also announced the suspension of all electoral activities and the closure of national borders.
However, Jonathan maintains that the entire scenario was suspicious.
“For two things: it is the president, President Embaló, that announced it. And specifically what happened in Guinea-Bissau, I wouldn’t call it a coup. It was not a coup,” Jonathan said, suggesting it should instead be described as a “ceremonial coup.”
He added that the president’s behaviour during the supposed takeover did not align with what typically happens during real coups in Africa.
“While the coup took place, he was using his phone and addressing media organizations across the world that he had been arrested,” Jonathan noted.
“As a Nigerian close to 70 years, I know how they keep heads of state when a coup takes place. Militaries don’t take over government and the sitting president that they overthrow would be allowed to be addressing press conferences and announcing that they are being arrested. Who is fooling who?”
Jonathan said the incident deeply disturbed him as someone committed to democratic governance.
“In fact, I feel more pains than the day I called Buhari to congratulate him when I lost the election,” he added.
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