Guinean Diaspora Protests Lisbon Over ‘Sham’ Referendum
LISBON, Portugal — Dozens of protesters from the Bissau-Guinean diaspora gathered in the heart of Lisbon on Thursday to denounce an upcoming constitutional referendum, labeling the vote a “sham” designed to “whitewash” a military coup.
Organized by community activists, the demonstration began at the iconic Marquês de Pombal square before marching to Restauradores Square. Participants waved the national flag of Guinea-Bissau alongside banners of the PAIGC (African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde), chanting slogans such as “down with the coup plotters” and “down with the murderers.”
A ‘Commissioned’ Vote
The protest targets a scheduled August 30 referendum on a new constitution. The proposed changes would significantly consolidate power in the presidency while reducing the number of seats in parliament. The current government was installed following a military coup on November 26, 2025.
“We are here to stand up against a referendum that we know was commissioned by a political power installed by force,” Mariano Quade, a 51-year-old activist living in Portugal, told Lusa. “This referendum makes no sense. It was organized by coup plotters and excludes civil society, political parties, and the diaspora.”
Quade warned that the lack of independent oversight makes the process “completely rigged,” questioning whether the regional bloc ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) has become complicit in the crisis.
Political Suppression and Human Rights Concerns
The 2025 coup occurred just as election results were due to be released following a tense presidential race between incumbent Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition leader Fernando Dias da Costa. While Embaló remains in power, the opposition accuses him of orchestrating a “palace coup” to bypass the democratic will of the people.
The fallout has been severe. The President of Parliament, Domingos Simões Pereira, was detained and, though later released for medical treatment in Portugal, remains barred from political activity. Meanwhile, activists report a climate of fear in Bissau.
“Guineans are currently voiceless,” said Mariama Seidi Dias, president of the PAIGC political commission in Portugal. “Those who return to the country must remain tight-lipped or risk being persecuted, beaten, or killed. This is a non-inclusive process involving the buying of voter cards and the removal of opponents from lists.”
A Call for International Pressure
While some protesters criticized the international community for inaction, others praised Portugal and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) for their firm stance. The CPLP recently suspended Guinea-Bissau, a move activists see as a vital step toward restoring constitutional order.
The protest drew Guineans from across Europe, including London-based IT technician Dajlú Ké Dedsp. “I am fighting tooth and nail to overthrow the government in Guinea-Bissau,” he said. “The people are tired. The country has been taken over by drug trafficking and there is no respect for human life.”
A Looming Boycott
The referendum is set to take place just three months before general elections scheduled for December 6. However, the country’s major political forces—including the PAIGC and the Social Renewal Party (PRS)—have called for a total boycott, arguing that a vote held under the current National Transition Council is illegitimate.
Note: Lusa’s physical presence in Guinea-Bissau has been suspended since August 2025 following the government’s expulsion of Portuguese media. This report was compiled from international dispatches.
Image: Pexels – Efe Ersoy
