Guinea-Bissau’s main opposition leader is set to appear before a military court over alleged involvement in multiple coup plots, according to judicial and military sources.
The summons comes in the wake of the November overthrow of President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, when the military seized control just days after the presidential elections, detaining several senior politicians.
Domingos Simões Pereira, leader of the PAIGC party, which guided Guinea-Bissau to independence from Portugal in 1974, was arrested on the day of the coup. He was released late last month but remains under house arrest as authorities investigate separate allegations of financial misconduct.
Sources close to the military court say Pereira will be questioned on Friday regarding his alleged role in a coup attempt. A senior officer described a “range of suspicions” linked to multiple subversive actions, noting that Pereira is believed to have been involved in at least two attempted coups, in late 2023 and October 2025.
Guinea-Bissau’s history of political instability is well documented, with five successful coups and numerous attempted takeovers since independence. Chronic poverty, weak institutions, and political turbulence have created an environment where corruption and drug trafficking thrive, further complicating efforts to maintain stability.
The upcoming court proceedings are being closely watched both domestically and internationally as the country grapples with its latest chapter of political uncertainty.
