Guinea-Bissau Junta Frees Opposition Figures, Places Pereira Under House Arrest

Guinea-Bissau’s military rulers have eased restrictions on some opposition figures detained after last year’s coup, but one prominent opposition leader has been placed under house arrest just a day after his release from prison.

Following the overthrow of President Umaro Sissoco Embalo on November 26 — days after a presidential election and before official results were announced — the junta arrested several senior politicians, suspended the electoral process, and forced Embalo to flee the country.

Fernando Dias, Embalo’s main election rival who claimed victory in the vote, avoided arrest by seeking refuge at the Nigerian embassy. On Saturday, his communications manager, Gabriel Ye, said the military had lifted most restrictions placed on Dias.

“Fernando Dias is not under house arrest,” Ye told AFP. “The only conditions imposed are that he must not make public statements or participate in political activities.”

Ye also confirmed that Embalo’s former prime minister, Geraldo Martins, has been released.

However, another key opposition figure, Domingos Simoes Pereira, was placed under house arrest shortly after being freed from detention on Friday evening. Pereira, a veteran politician and long-time critic of Embalo, had spent several months in custody.

Army commander Jorgito Biague said all individuals detained in connection with the coup had been released, except Pereira.

“Domingos Simoes Pereira is the only person under house arrest, and this is due to alleged economic crimes,” Biague said, adding that the matter is now before the judiciary and not under military control.

Pereira was escorted to his residence on the outskirts of Bissau on Friday night, where supporters gathered to welcome him.

He is the leader of the PAIGC party, which led Guinea-Bissau to independence from Portugal in 1974. Pereira was disqualified from contesting the recent presidential election after submitting his nomination late and later threw his support behind Dias.

Guinea-Bissau has a long history of political instability, having experienced five successful coups and multiple attempted military takeovers since independence.

Meanwhile, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said on Saturday that it welcomed recent steps taken by the country’s transitional authorities to promote inclusiveness and restore constitutional order.

The regional bloc called for the full release of Pereira, the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, and urged all stakeholders to work toward a peaceful transition and credible democratic elections.