Gambiaj.com – (BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau) – Guinea-Bissau’s political crisis eased slightly on Friday evening with the release of Domingos Simões Pereira, leader of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), and the return of independent presidential candidate Fernando Dias da Costa from his weeks-long refuge at the Nigerian embassy.
Simões Pereira was freed late Friday, January 30, 2026, after spending 64 days in detention at the Second Police Station of the National Public Order Police.
He arrived at his residence at about 8:11 p.m., accompanied by Senegal’s Defence Minister, General Birame Diop, who is in the country as a special envoy of Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye.
Visibly changed after more than two months in custody, Simões Pereira appeared with a fully white beard as he was welcomed by emotional family members, PAIGC officials, and supporters.
Applause and chants of “DSP! DSP! DSP!” rang out despite repeated appeals from his security team for restraint. Several supporters were seen in tears as the opposition leader crossed the threshold of his home.
The neighborhood of Luanda, where Simões Pereira resides, was under heavy security, with armed and masked security forces patrolling the streets and maintaining a strong presence around the residence throughout the evening.
His release followed intense negotiations led by the Senegalese government, through General Diop, with the support of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), according to sources close to the mediation.
Fernando Dias da Costa and Geraldo João Martins Out of Their Hideout
Hours later, attention shifted to Fernando Dias da Costa, who returned to his home after emerging from his hideout at the Nigerian embassy.
After several hours’ delay from the initially scheduled departure time, Dias da Costa arrived at his residence on Friday night, also accompanied by General Birame Diop.
Nigerian forces deployed as part of the Stabilization Mission in Guinea-Bissau since 2022 provided security during his movement.
While filming outside the residence was prohibited, images shared on social media from inside showed scenes of jubilation, with embraces, handshakes, and visible relief marking the candidate’s return.
Dias da Costa was initially expected to arrive at around 6 p.m., but the operation was delayed due to security arrangements. Like Simões Pereira, he was greeted with applause, smiling as he acknowledged family members and supporters with waves and gestures.
Dias da Costa and former Prime Minister Geraldo João Martins had taken refuge at the Nigerian embassy amid political tensions. Their safe departure was secured following intense negotiations between Guinea-Bissau’s transitional authorities and the Senegalese presidential envoy.
The Senegalese mediation mission played a central role in both developments, facilitating the release of the PAIGC leader and ensuring the safe exit of the two men from the Nigerian diplomatic compound, moves seen by observers as a tentative step toward de-escalation in the country’s fragile political landscape.
