Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has vehemently condemned the so-called military takeover in Guinea-Bissau, branding it nothing short of a “ceremonial coup.” This shocking statement comes right on the heels of a dramatic scene that unfolded on state television, where soldiers brazenly claimed control of the nation amidst heavy gunfire echoing near the presidential palace. And get this,this chaos erupted just three days post-national elections!

Jonathan’s remarks raise eyebrows as he questions the bizarre nature of this coup. Can you believe it? President Umaro Sissoco Embaló himself was seen making statements to various media outlets even during the so-called takeover! “Military don’t take over governments, and the sitting president that they overthrow would be allowed to be addressing press conferences and announcing that he has been arrested. Who is fooling who?” Jonathan exclaimed, expressing his alarm at this unsettling development for democracy advocates.

The plot thickens as President Embaló finds himself mired in a legitimacy crisis. Opposition factions are outright refusing to recognize him as the legitimate leader, claiming his mandate has expired. This political quagmire only serves to compound the already shaky governance in Guinea-Bissau, a country that has seen its fair share of turmoil.

Historically, Guinea-Bissau has been no stranger to political instability, suffering multiple coups since its independence from Portugal over 50 years ago. Experts are sounding the alarm that this latest upheaval could spell disaster for the fragile democratic strides made in this beleaguered West African nation, home to around 2.2 million residents grappling with severe issues like poverty and rampant drug trafficking.

As this sensational situation continues to unfold, the international community is holding its breath, anxious about what this military intervention could mean for the future of democracy in Guinea-Bissau and the wider West African region. The stakes have never been higher!