Protests Erupt in Guinea-Bissau Against Military Coup, Opposition Leader Detained

Hundreds protested in Guinea-Bissau’s capital against last month’s military coup, demanding the release of detained opposition leader Domingos Simoes Pereira. The coup ousted President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and installed Major-General Horta Inta-a as interim leader. Civil society groups called for strikes and civil disobedience, while regional bloc ECOWAS prepares to meet and consider sanctions. The coup is part of a pattern of instability in the country, which has a history of military interventions and is known as a cocaine trafficking hub.

Hundreds of citizens marched through the streets of Guinea-Bissau’s capital on Friday, protesting against the military coup that took place last month and demanding the immediate release of opposition leaders who were detained during the upheaval. The demonstrations come as leaders of the regional economic and political bloc ECOWAS prepare to meet in Abuja, Nigeria, on Sunday to discuss the crisis and potential sanctions against Guinea-Bissau, highlighting the growing international concern over the political instability in the West African nation.

During the protests in Bissau, demonstrators clashed with security forces, setting tires ablaze and shouting slogans calling for the release of Domingos Simoes Pereira, the head of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cabo Verde (PAIGC). Pereira was detained during the military takeover, and relatives and security sources have confirmed his continued detention. The demonstrations reflected widespread anger and frustration among citizens, particularly young people, who fear that the military intervention undermines the country’s democratic process and threatens their political future.

The military coup occurred on November 26, when army officers ousted President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, just one day before the electoral commission was scheduled to announce the results of legislative and presidential elections. Following the coup, the junta installed Major-General Horta Inta-a as interim leader, asserting control over the government and suspending key democratic processes. The transitional military government has been met with strong opposition from civil society groups and ordinary citizens, many of whom refuse to recognize the legitimacy of the new authorities.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, civil society activist Vigario Luis Balanta called on citizens to participate in a general strike and a week of civil disobedience, insisting that the transitional government is illegitimate and that the people must defend their democratic rights. The military government was not immediately available to respond to the protests or comments from activists.

Earlier in the week, the junta unveiled a 12-month transitional charter that explicitly bars Inta-a and his appointed prime minister from running in future elections. This announcement came two weeks after the military suspended the constitution, outlining a roadmap that critics say entrenches military control and limits political freedoms. Protesters expressed deep concern that these measures would further weaken democratic institutions and exacerbate existing political tensions.

Among the demonstrators, Antonio Sami emphasized the role of the youth in defending the nation’s sovereignty. “We are the youth and we are the future of this country,” he said. “We will never, ever accept that our sovereignty be called into question.” His statement reflects the sentiment of many young citizens who see themselves as central to the struggle for democratic governance and accountability.

The coup in Guinea-Bissau is part of a broader pattern of political instability in West and Central Africa, marking the ninth military takeover in the region over the past five years. The country’s history of coups is compounded by its reputation as a transit hub for cocaine trafficking, which has contributed to weak governance, corruption, and repeated military interventions. The ongoing crisis underscores the challenges facing Guinea-Bissau as it struggles to maintain political stability and democratic rule amid complex social, economic, and security pressures.

Regional leaders and international observers are closely monitoring the situation, recognizing that the resolution of Guinea-Bissau’s crisis will have implications for peace, stability, and democratic governance across West Africa. Calls for dialogue, sanctions, and adherence to constitutional order are likely to shape the next steps as the country navigates this turbulent period.