Former President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed the recent political uprising in Guinea-Bissau as an unusual and largely symbolic event, describing it as a “ceremonial coup” rather than a full-fledged military takeover.
Jonathan, who returned to Abuja on Friday after being caught in the middle of the crisis while serving as part of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) election observer mission, said the circumstances surrounding the announcement of the supposed coup defied logic and global practice.
Addressing journalists, Jonathan recounted the confusion that began when President Umaro Sissoco Mbalo announced publicly that a coup had taken place and that he had been arrested—while simultaneously giving interviews and making calls to international media.
He said the situation did not resemble any known pattern of military takeovers, noting that in genuine coups, an ousted president would not have unfettered access to the media or be permitted to speak freely.
“It didn’t add up The president was the one announcing the coup, and while claiming to have been detained, he was still speaking live to news outlets.
”That is not how coups occur anywhere, ” he said.
Jonathan expressed concern that the events signaled a worsening political culture in Guinea-Bissau and risked dragging the country back to its era of instability, when coups and counter-coups were frequent.
The former president said the timing of the incident was deeply troubling, as observer missions were awaiting the official release of presidential election results from the November 23 polls.
Results from the country’s nine regions had already been compiled when the chaos erupted.
He explained that all observer groups had assessed the voting process as peaceful, and the sudden declaration of a coup just as results were expected to be announced created widespread suspicion.
Jonathan urged ECOWAS and the African Union not to abandon their responsibilities, adding that both bodies had access to all the collated regional results.
“They owe the world clarity. Even if they cannot remove the military from power, they can at least state publicly who won the election. Democracy demands transparency, ” he said.
Recalling his tenure as ECOWAS Chair during Côte d’Ivoire’s post-election crisis in 2010, Jonathan emphasised the importance of firmness from regional bodies in defending democratic norms.
He said current ECOWAS and AU leaders must show courage and ensure that misleading narratives are not allowed to stand.
He warned that allowing such incidents to pass without firm action emboldens actors who undermine democratic processes.
Jonathan also criticised President Mbalo, who until recently chaired ECOWAS, saying he should have done more to stabilise his own country, given his military background and influence within the security establishment.
Jonathan backed the suspension of Guinea-Bissau from ECOWAS, saying such penalties, though unpopular, remain necessary tools for defending constitutional order.
He argued that while some countries have withdrawn from ECOWAS, the bloc must maintain its principles, confident that nations under military rule will eventually return once democratic governance is restored.
“It may take a few years, but military regimes do not last forever.
“What matters is that ECOWAS stays firm. Even if only a handful of countries remain committed, they should continue to defend democratic standards,” he said.
Jonathan also called for the immediate and unconditional release of opposition figure Fernando Dias, who remains detained.
He said Dias had committed no offence that warranted restrictions on his movement and urged the international community to pressure Guinea-Bissau’s military leaders to avoid further repression.
Jonathan warned that the nation must not slide back to the period between 2011 and 2014, when political instability and military interference were rampant.
