Guinea-Bissau Forces Block PAIGC Meeting Amid Political Tensions
Security forces in Bissaue have forcibly blocked a high-level meeting of Guinea-Bissau’s historic liberation party, the PAIGC, intensifying concerns over political suppression under the nation’s military-led transitional government.
Threats Force Cancellation
The African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) announced on Thursday that its Central Committee meeting was suspended after security forces allegedly threatened the venue. With the party’s national headquarters currently shuttered by authorities following last November’s coup d’état, the opposition had planned to gather at a local hotel.
According to a party statement, the hotel management received an evening visit from security officials on March 27. The officers reportedly warned that the meeting was prohibited and that the hotel “would be entirely responsible” for any consequences if the event proceeded. The PAIGC noted that similar threats were issued to other hotels across Bissau to ensure the meeting could not be moved elsewhere.
A Climate of Unequal Treatment
The leadership of the PAIGC, the highest body between party congresses, had intended to use the session to set a date for its 11th Ordinary Congress and plan celebrations for the party’s 70th anniversary in September. Party officials expressed frustration over what they described as a dual standard in the current political climate.
“The PAIGC notes that this prohibition contrasts with the ease with which some freely practice political acts,” the statement read. This was a pointed reference to a dissident faction within the party that has joined the transitional government. Despite defying official party guidelines, this splinter group has been allowed to hold press conferences and plan its own rival congress scheduled for May.
Leadership Under Duress
The crackdown on the party comes as its leader, Domingos Simões Pereira, remains under house arrest. Pereira was initially detained for over 60 days in a police station following the November coup before being moved to house arrest in January. Military authorities have accused him of involvement in a previous alleged coup attempt against former President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, who was himself ousted in the recent takeover.
The PAIGC confirmed that it had formally requested the reopening of its headquarters from the Military High Command and notified the Ministry of the Interior of its meeting plans. However, the Ministry reportedly refused to even accept the correspondence, claiming it required “superior instructions” to do so.
International coverage of the situation remains restricted; the Lusa agency continues to report on Guinea-Bissau remotely following the government’s expulsion of Portuguese media representatives last August.
Image: Pexels – pierre matile
