Guinea-Bissau's main opposition leader, Domingos Simões Pereira, appeared before a military court on Friday facing allegations of involvement in multiple coup attempts, accusations his entourage has vehemently denied as politically motivated.
Guinea-Bissau opposition leader faces military court over coup plot allegations
FIEL - Domingos Simoes Pereira, then prime minister of Guinea-Bissau, speaks during the 69th session of the UN General Assembly at U.N. headquarters, Sept. 29, 2014.
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Pereira, leader of the historic PAIGC party that led the nation to independence in 1974, was summoned for questioning over his alleged role in at least two coup plots—in late 2023 and October 2025.
A senior military officer cited "many suspicions" regarding his involvement in "subversive actions," though no formal charges have been detailed.
Arrest and house arrest
Pereira was initially arrested during the November 2025 military coup that overthrew President Umaro Sissoco Embaló.
Freed on January 31, he remains under house arrest, facing separate investigations into alleged financial crimes while being barred from public statements.
Political context and denials
His lawyer denounced the proceedings as "provocative," insisting Pereira "has never been an advocate of coups."
The PAIGC's headquarters remains closed amid disputes over its flag, while critics note the irony of coup leaders investigating an opposition figure for coup plotting.