PAIGC Blasts Arrest of Guinea-Bissau’s Domingos Simões Pereira
LISBON — The African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) issued a blistering condemnation on Thursday following the preventive detention of its leader, Domingos Simões Pereira, calling the arrest an “abusive and arbitrary” act designed to cement a dictatorial regime.
In a statement released by its National Secretariat, the PAIGC claimed the judicial process against Pereira has been “vitiated since its genesis” and serves a purely political agenda: the permanent removal of Guinea-Bissau’s most prominent political figure from the public sphere.
Legal and Constitutional Violations Alleged
The party argues that the detention, ordered by a Criminal Investigation Judge of the Military Court, ignores fundamental legal protections. Specifically, the PAIGC asserts that authorities disregarded Pereira’s parliamentary immunity. Furthermore, they contend that as a civilian, Pereira cannot legally be tried by a military court, which they described as an “ad-hoc” tribunal created specifically for this case.
“This is a purely political process,” the party stated, accusing the Supreme Court of Justice of refusing to hear defense appeals and alleging that the case records are built on “falsehoods.”
Accusations Against the Military High Command
The PAIGC has held former President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and the Military High Command—which has ruled the country since the November 26 coup—directly responsible for Pereira’s safety and physical integrity. The leader was taken to the Second Police Station of the Public Order Police in Bissau to await further proceedings.
The party is now demanding Pereira’s “immediate and unconditional” release. They have called on the international community, including ECOWAS and the African Union, to move beyond statements and take “practical actions” to resolve the crisis. Domestically, the PAIGC urged citizens to mobilize against what they describe as a judicial kidnapping.
A History of Political Turmoil
The legal saga surrounding Pereira is entangled with the country’s recent violent power shifts:
- November 2025: Pereira was arrested during a military coup that interrupted the electoral process. After two months in jail, he was placed under a restrictive “house arrest” that his lawyers argue does not legally exist in the Guinean system.
- June 2026: Authorities officially named Pereira a suspect in an alleged attempted coup. Prosecutors claim he provided 300 million francs (€457,000) and his residence to facilitate the plot.
- Current Status: Pereira’s defense maintains the Military Court lacks jurisdiction. They argue that as the head of the National People’s Assembly dissolved in 2023, Pereira can only be tried by the Supreme Court.
The PAIGC was barred from participating in the November 2025 elections. The party instead supported candidate Fernando Dias da Costa, who claimed victory over the incumbent Embaló just before the military seized power and deposed the president. The opposition has since characterized the coup as a “staged” event, alleging that Embaló continues to influence the nation’s destiny from behind the scenes.
The Military High Command has scheduled new elections for December 6 and has proposed a new Constitution—granting expanded powers to the head of state—for a referendum on August 30.
Note: This report was compiled remotely. Portuguese media agency Lusa has had its Guinea-Bissau delegation suspended since August following a government crackdown on international press.
Image: Pexels – Dokun Ayano
