Family of Imprisoned Guinea-Bissau Leader Urges ECOWAS Action
The family of Domingos Simões Pereira, Guinea-Bissau’s imprisoned opposition leader and elected President of Parliament, has issued an urgent plea to West African leaders for his immediate release. In an open letter addressed to the Foreign Ministers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the family is calling for regional intervention to address what they describe as a violation of fundamental rights.
The appeal precedes the 69th Ordinary Summit of ECOWAS, scheduled for Sunday in Sierra Leone. It highlights the “grave prison situation” of Simões Pereira, who is currently being held in preventive detention at Bissau’s Second Police Station under the authority of a military court.
Allegations of Judicial Overreach
Italma Simões Pereira, representing the family, denounced “serious procedural irregularities” in the case against the veteran politician. Simões Pereira, leader of the historic African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), is being investigated for his alleged involvement in a failed coup attempt in October 2025.
The family argues that the Military Court has no legal standing to detain or prosecute a civilian. “This diplomatic initiative aims to safeguard the physical integrity and fundamental rights of the individual concerned,” the family stated, asserting that the current judicial process bypasses constitutional protections.
A Nation in Transition
Guinea-Bissau has been gripped by political instability since a military takeover in November 2025. The coup occurred just as provisional results for legislative and presidential elections were set to be released. While the elections themselves were held without incident, the subsequent military action upended the democratic process.
Simões Pereira’s legal saga has seen several shifts. After being detained for over 60 days following the coup, he was moved to house arrest in January. However, in June, prosecutors identified him as a suspect in financing and providing logistical support for the alleged coup attempt. On July 10, a judge upgraded his status to preventive detention, the most severe restrictive measure available.
The Road to December Elections
The country is currently led by General Horta Inta-a, who was appointed Transitional President by the Military High Command. The General has pledged that the transitional period will last no longer than one year, with new legislative and presidential elections scheduled for December 6.
The regional response at the upcoming ECOWAS summit is seen as a critical test for the organization’s commitment to democratic norms in a region that has seen a surge in military-led governments.
Note: Reporting on Guinea-Bissau is currently being conducted remotely following the suspension of the Lusa agency’s delegation and the expulsion of Portuguese media representatives by the transitional government in August.
Image: Pexels – Salis A Muhammad
