Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The transitional authorities in Guinea-Bissau have informed the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) that opposition leader Domingos Simões Pereira remains in detention due to ongoing legal proceedings, despite regional calls for the release of all political figures.
In a letter addressed to the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the transitional government, João Bernardo Vieira, said the continued detention of the president of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) is based on decisions by the country’s judicial authorities.
The letter, which was consulted by Lusa news agency, notes that three other Guinean citizens held in connection with the post-election crisis were authorized for release by the competent authorities.
However, according to Vieira, the detainees refused to leave prison unless Domingos Simões Pereira was also freed.
Although the foreign minister did not name the individuals, reports circulating on Guinean social media identified them as PAIGC lawmakers Marciano Indi and Octávio Lopes, as well as lawyer Roberto Mbesba, a senior figure in the Social Renewal Party (PRS).
According to the letter, the three detainees insisted that they would only accept their release “if citizen Domingos Simões Pereira is also released.” Vieira stressed that, unlike the others, Simões Pereira remains subject to an “ongoing legal proceedings,” which, he said, justifies his continued custody.
At the same time, the head of diplomacy reaffirmed the transitional government’s commitment to working with ECOWAS, pledging “transparency, legality, and full respect for the rule of law” in Guinea-Bissau.
The communication comes amid mounting regional and international pressure on the authorities that emerged from the November 26 military takeover. At a summit held in Nigeria on December 14, ECOWAS leaders urged the transitional authorities to release all political leaders detained following the coup.
The family of Domingos Simões Pereira, who is also the elected president of the National People’s Assembly dissolved at the end of 2023, has repeatedly told the media that they have been denied access to him. They say neither his lawyer nor human rights organizations have been allowed to visit since his detention.
On December 23, the self-proclaimed High Military Command ordered the release of six other detainees, including members of the security forces and drivers linked to political figures.
Guinea-Bissau plunged into crisis on November 26, when a group describing itself as a “high military command” seized power three days after presidential and legislative elections and one day before the scheduled announcement of results.
President Umaro Sissoco Embaló was ousted and is currently out of the country, while opposition candidate Fernando Dias, who claims victory in the polls, has taken refuge at the Nigerian Embassy in Bissau.
