Guinea-Bissau’s Superior Council of the Judiciary and the Temporary President of the Supreme Court of Justice (STJ) have suspended five judges from their roles as advisors to the judiciary for breaking their statutory duties, specifically the loyalty and obedience requirements outlined in Law No. 9/97 of December 2.

The decision that was made known on Monday is dated November 22 of this year and was signed by Lima António André, who invoked the authority granted to him by the constitution.

The suspended judges are Domingos Cá, Alcides Bartolomeu Almeida Silva, Carmem Isaura Tavares Baptista Lobo, Juca Armando Nancassa, and Osiris Francisco Pina Ferreira.

Justice Lima António André also wrote that the appointment of Mr. Armando Mango, Ussumane Camará, and Mário Siano Fambé as members of the Superior Council of Judicial Judiciary, representing the National Popular Assembly (ANP), has no legal basis.

He further asserted that any decision by the sacked presidents of the STJ and CSMJ, who were removed from office for disciplinary reasons, has no legal consequences at all.

Lima António André contended that in order to establish credibility in the independence and quality of the judiciary, the representation of other sovereign bodies in the Superior Council of the Judiciary must translate into a guarantee of objectivity and clarity of their perception regarding the “state of justice.”

He stated that in order to ensure the independence of justice, it is necessary to ensure accountability and that the bodies established to ensure accountability work, ensuring organization and discipline in the functioning of judicial institutions.