Guinea-Bissau Opposition Slams PM Over Political Detentions
Opposition coalitions in Guinea-Bissau have launched a stinging rebuke of transitional Prime Minister Ilídio Vieira Té, accusing his administration of “grave distortion of the facts” regarding the detention of key political figures following the country’s recent coup.
Disputed Claims over Leader’s Freedom
In a joint statement released to the media on Monday, the coalitions API-Cabas Garandi and PAI-Terra Ranka—supporters of presidential candidate Fernando Dias da Costa—flatly denied the Prime Minister’s claims that opposition leaders are moving freely or facing legitimate legal processes.
The controversy centers on the status of Fernando Dias da Costa and Domingos Simões Pereira, two prominent figures who have reportedly been under armed guard for months. During a recent press conference, Prime Minister Vieira Té insisted that Dias da Costa “faces no impediment” from the government and is free to travel globally. “As a citizen, he is free to leave just like any of us,” the Prime Minister stated.
The opposition platforms characterized these claims as “misleading,” asserting that Dias da Costa has been the target of “abusive and arbitrary acts.” Since leaving the Nigerian embassy in late January—where he had sought refuge following the military takeover—the politician has allegedly been held under police-monitored house arrest.
Allegations of ‘Staged’ Conflict and Military Detention
The coalitions also challenged the government’s narrative regarding Domingos Simões Pereira, the leader of PAI-Terra Ranka and the president of the dissolved parliament. While the Prime Minister suggested Pereira is simply answering to a military court process, the opposition contends his confinement is an attempt to cover up a “worrying” lack of due process.
Pereira has been under house arrest by military and police forces since January 31, following a 60-day stint in the 2nd Police Station prison. His legal team maintains he was only summoned as a witness regarding an alleged coup attempt that preceded the November 2025 elections—an event the opposition has dismissed as “staged” to justify the military’s subsequent power grab.
A Nation in Transition
Guinea-Bissau has been gripped by political instability since the military seized power on November 26, 2026, just as provisional results for the November 23 general elections were due to be released. The coup resulted in the deposition and exile of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló.
The country is currently governed by a Transitional Government and a National Transitional Council, headed by General Horta Inta-a. The General has promised a transition period of no more than one year and appointed Vieira Té, a former minister under Embaló, to lead the cabinet.
The opposition coalitions have called upon the Military High Command to immediately cease all restrictions on political leaders and restore the right to free assembly and press access. Despite being excluded from the 2025 ballot, PAIGC and its allies back Fernando Dias da Costa, whom they claim is the legitimate winner of the suppressed election.
Note: Foreign media coverage within Guinea-Bissau remains restricted following the government’s expulsion of Portuguese media representatives in August. This report was compiled from external monitoring of Bissau-Guinean developments.
Image: Pexels – Leonid Altman
