Nearly seven months after last year's military coup in Guinea-Bissau, opposition leader Domingos Simoes Pereira remains under house arrest, intensifying a political crisis and straining ties with international partners.

A military court ordered Pereira to remain under house arrest after fresh questioning over allegations he plotted a coup against the military government, according to his lawyer, who said no formal charges have been filed.

The coup occurred on November 26, 2025, three days after presidential elections. Armed men seized ballots and vote tallies from the National Electoral Commission's offices and destroyed servers storing results, preventing the announcement of outcomes.

Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel has called for Pereira's release and a return to constitutional order. However, the military leadership in Bissau dismissed these demands as interference in national sovereignty, with a spokesperson stating that Guinea-Bissau's justice system is independent.

Pereira's party, PAIGC, views his detention as an effort to weaken the opposition ahead of elections scheduled for December 2026. Civil society representatives describe the situation as political hostage-taking and a grave violation of the rule of law.

Experts argue that Pereira's treatment will determine whether Guinea-Bissau returns to democracy or military rule becomes entrenched. ECOWAS is expected to discuss the situation at a July summit, though critics say the regional bloc has been silent since the coup.

Source: www.dw.com