Guinea-Bissau’s military-led government has released opposition leader and former Prime Minister Domingos Simões Pereira after a court ordered his temporary release to enable him travel to Portugal for medical treatment.
Pereira, who was arrested for a second time earlier this month, faces charges of financing and providing logistical support for an alleged coup attempt in October. He was among several senior politicians detained following the military takeover in November 2025.
The junta seized power by ousting President Umaro Sissoco Embaló just days after presidential and legislative elections, claiming its intervention was necessary to prevent violence between supporters of rival candidates.
It subsequently announced a one-year transitional administration.
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Pereira’s release comes days after the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) called on the military-led government to unconditionally release all detained political figures, saying the move would strengthen the credibility of the country’s transition process.
The court said Pereira’s legal status will be reviewed after the expiration of his 90-day medical leave.
