Guinea-Bissau’s ruling military junta has announced the release of six opposition members who had been detained since last month’s coup, a move it describes as a gesture toward restoring constitutional order.
The freed individuals are close allies of Domingos Simões Pereira, leader of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), the party that led the country to independence in 1974. Pereira himself, however, remains in detention following the coup.
In a statement seen by AFP, the junta’s governing body, the High Military Command, said the releases were a “sign of good faith” and part of efforts aimed at a return to constitutional normality and respect for international rights.
The military seized power on November 26, ousting then-president Umaro Sissoco Embaló after a disputed presidential election. Following the takeover, the army suspended the electoral process and declared it would rule the West African country for a one-year transitional period.
The coup triggered a wave of arrests and political tension. Another opposition presidential candidate, Fernando Dias, sought refuge at Nigeria’s embassy in Bissau, which granted him asylum, while Embaló fled the country after being briefly detained by soldiers.
Regional pressure has been mounting. On Sunday, Senegal’s foreign minister led a delegation to Guinea-Bissau, meeting detained opposition figures and calling for their release. ECOWAS has also warned it could impose targeted sanctions on individuals obstructing a return to civilian rule.
Guinea-Bissau has a long history of political instability, having experienced four military coups and numerous attempted uprisings since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. The latest developments have renewed concerns about the country’s fragile democracy and uncertain political future.
