Gambiaj.com – (BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau) – Soldiers from the National Guard have taken control of the Guinea-Bissau Parliament building, Colinas do Boé palace, in the heart of Bissau, blocking all access to employees and deputies since Monday. This move has further heightened tensions in the country’s ongoing political crisis.

A government official told the Portuguese news agency Lusa that he was stopped by National Guard soldiers at the main entrance of the building early Monday morning. “I arrived around 7:20 am [8:20 am in Lisbon], but I was met by National Guard officers who instructed me to turn around. That’s what I did,” said the official, who wished to remain anonymous.

Another official, head of a parliamentary division, said he was initially allowed entry but was later asked by soldiers inside the building to surrender the keys to his office. After complying with the order, he left the premises, commenting, “I went home.”

Several other employees of the parliament informed Lusa that they didn’t attempt to enter the building after learning about the situation from colleagues.

The National Guard’s occupation of the parliament comes at a time of intense political uncertainty in Guinea-Bissau. The parliament was dissolved by President Umaro Sissoco Embaló in December 2023, a decision that many deputies deemed unconstitutional. Following the dissolution, lawmakers attempted to access the parliament building but were forcibly dispersed by police using tear gas. The building had since been monitored by armed police and only reopened to employees and members of the public with official business last month.

The latest escalation coincides with the return of the President of Parliament, Domingos Simões Pereira, who returned to Guinea-Bissau last Friday after a seven-month absence abroad. Upon his return, Simões Pereira convened several parliamentary meetings, including that of the Standing Committee, which has taken on the functions of the plenary.

Before departing for the United Nations General Assembly in New York, President Sissoco Embaló issued a stern warning, declaring that if parliament took up matters concerning the Supreme Court of Justice (STJ), Domingos Simões Pereira would no longer lead the legislative body. “You’ll never set foot there. If he does so, it is a coup dynamic,” Embaló warned, emphasizing that the parliament lacks the authority to address matters involving the STJ.

Despite the president’s warning, the Standing Committee did discuss the situation surrounding the Supreme Court during its Friday session, particularly the contentious leadership of Judge Lima André. Many in political circles and within society have questioned Judge André’s legitimacy, accusing him of usurping powers.

At the session, the Standing Committee passed a resolution, unanimously approved by the deputies in attendance, calling for new elections to restore normality to the court. Simões Pereira defended his actions, insisting that the resolution adhered to the Constitution. He denied claims of overstepping powers, stating, “There is no intention here to usurp authority. The goal is to restore normality in the Supreme Court of Justice, which will benefit the President, all government bodies, and all citizens.”

President Embaló, however, has remained adamant that any action taken by the parliament regarding the Supreme Court amounts to a crime of usurpation of power.

As of Monday, attempts to reach the Ministry of the Interior, which oversees the National Guard, for comment have been unsuccessful. The situation remains tense as Guinea-Bissau faces continued political uncertainty over the balance of power between the parliament, judiciary, and presidency.