Temitayo Olumofe
Imagine waking up to the sound of gunfire rattling through the streets of Bissau, the heart of Guinea-Bissau, where families had just voted in what they hoped would be a peaceful election. On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, that nightmare became reality as military officers stormed key buildings, arrested President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, and declared “total control” over the tiny West African nation. For everyday people who are fishermen, market traders, and election hopefuls, this wasn’t just politics; it was their future upended again in a country scarred by coups since gaining independence in 1974. Nigeria, ever the big brother in the region, didn’t just watch; it condemned the act fiercely and raced to evacuate former President Goodluck Jonathan, who was trapped observing the polls.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs wasted no time, stating on Thursday, November 27, 2025, that it received the news with “profound dismay and deep concern.” Spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa told journalists in Abuja, “Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is very safe and out of Guinea-Bissau. He left on a special flight with members of his delegation, including Mohamed Chambas.” Jonathan, heading the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission for the November 23 polls, found himself stranded as borders shut and airports closed amid the chaos.
The Nigerian House of Representatives sprang into action too, with Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu calling it an “important emergency” during plenary. House Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere declared, “Our goal is to urge the government not to relent in that effort to use all diplomatic means to get a former president, a true democrat, back to Nigeria immediately.” Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda echoed this, praising Jonathan as “one of the best civilian presidents” and stressing that “the importance we attach to his life should also be attached to the life of every other Nigerian.” This unified push highlighted Nigeria’s priority: to protect its own while slamming the coup.
Jonathan himself, alongside former Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi and ECOWAS observer Issifu Kamara, issued a joint statement calling the takeover “a direct attempt to disrupt Guinea-Bissau’s democratic process.” They appealed for calm, stressing “the importance of preserving peace, stability, and the well-being of the Bissau-Guinean people.” Back home, Jonathan landed safely in Abuja on a Guinea-Bissau government aircraft, greeted by supporters—a relief amid regional jitters.
The coup plotters, led by Brigadier General Dinis Incanha, justified their move on state TV, claiming it countered a plot by “politicians and other domestic and foreign figures along with a well-known drug lord” to rig results. They formed the “High Military Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Order,” suspended politics, media, and borders, and imposed a curfew. Gunfire echoed near the presidential palace, electoral commission, and interior ministry, forcing hundreds to flee. Later, army chief General Horta N’Tam was sworn in to lead for a year, insisting, “These actions are necessary to block operations that aimed to threaten our democracy.”
Nigeria’s official line was blunt: “This coup d’état represents a blatant violation of the fundamental principles of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which explicitly rejects any ascension to power through unconstitutional means.” Abuja stood “in solidarity with the people of Guinea-Bissau” and demanded “the immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order, the safety and security of all those detained, and the full respect for the sanctity of democratic institutions.”
ECOWAS hit hard, suspending Guinea-Bissau from all bodies and demanding President Embaló’s release. Their communiqué “condemns in the strongest terms the coup d’état perpetrated on 26 November 2025 and calls for the unconditional restoration of constitutional order without delay.” They warned of “all options,” including sanctions, rejected any deal that subverts voters’ will, and insisted the National Electoral Commission declare the November 23 results. The African Union echoed with “zero tolerance” for such changes, while UN chief António Guterres condemned it as “an unacceptable violation of democratic principles,” adding that he “strongly condemns the coup d’état perpetrated by elements of the military and any attempt to violate constitutional order.”
The coup violates the 2001 ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which prohibits unconstitutional power grabs and mandates sanctions or military intervention if necessary, as seen in previous actions taken in Mali and Niger. Experts see this as a direct hit: the protocol demands swift reinstatement of elected leaders and holds plotters accountable. Reporters Without Borders slammed media shutdowns as “a serious violation of the right to information,” vital in a crisis. Portugal, with colonial ties, urged restraint to avoid more violence.
Reactions poured in from Guinea-Bissau’s streets to global halls. Citizens showed “resilience and commitment to democracy,” despite fear, as ECOWAS noted. Opposition leader Domingos Simões Pereira was arrested alongside top officials, fueling cries of foul play. Drug trafficking, a scourge in this poor nation—routing Latin American cocaine to Europe—likely amplified military claims of elite corruption. Over 6,700 troops, including ECOWAS forces, had secured the polls, yet failed.
“Nigeria, as a key member of ECOWAS and the African Union, will work closely with our regional and international partners to take all necessary measures to ensure the swift return to normalcy.” This fits Abuja’s history of stabilising the sub-region, from Liberia to Gambia.
In other words, Nigeria’s response sets a strong example, condemning coups while rescuing its elder statesman, and shows balanced leadership. Yet words alone won’t deter juntas; ECOWAS must enforce protocols with real penalties, or West Africa risks sliding back to instability. Guinea-Bissau’s people deserve ballots over bullets, and Nigeria’s voice, as the giant, carries weight to make that happen. True democracy thrives when big powers back it with action, not just statements. Time will test whether this firestorm sparks real change or fades like past coups.