On the occasion of the 53rd anniversary of independence, General Horta Inta-a Na Man defended a transition that is “on the right track” and called for preserving social calm ahead of the December presidential election. A conciliatory speech that contrasts with the hardening observed this week: former President Umaro Sissoco Embaló has been barred from returning to Bissau, while soldiers entered the PAIGC headquarters, closed since 14 September, to declare it “state property”. From Lisbon, Domingos Simões Pereira denounces the persecution of his party, and civil society is calling for an inclusive dialogue to preserve a stability that remains fragile.

General Horta Inta-a Na Man spoke publicly on the occasion of the 53rd anniversary of Guinea-Bissau’s independence. He described a country “under construction” and said that the political transition was “on the right track”. Praising the government’s action, he also gave assurances that the various infrastructure projects were continuing. 

The President of the Republic Defends the Transitional Government and Calls for Preserving Stability

Ahead of the December presidential elections, the former army chief of staff called for maintaining “social calm”, urging Bissau-Guineans not to give credence to “hate speech”, “calls for violence” and attempts to provoke “public disorder”.

The PAIGC Denounces a Tightening of Political Restrictions

On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), celebrated in Lisbon, its president Domingos Simões Pereira denounced the “illegitimate forces seeking to weaken the PAIGC, persecute its activists and silence its voice”. In his sights: restrictions on public freedoms, the 30 August referendum, which he considers contrary to the principles of the rule of law, and the closure of the PAIGC headquarters ordered by the authorities on 14 September. In a new twist, the party’s headquarters was reportedly entered this week by soldiers who put up a sign indicating that the building was now considered “state property”. 

Civil Society Calls for Calm and Dialogue

The National Civil Society Movement (MNSC) called for the establishment of a “constructive dialogue” between political actors in order to preserve peace and stability in Guinea-Bissau. On the occasion of the International Day of Peace, the MNSC’s permanent secretary highlighted the tensions linked to the political transition following the coup d’état, as well as several institutional, economic and social difficulties. The MNSC proposed a national peacebuilding strategy based on strengthening justice, fighting corruption and impunity, protecting human rights and preparing for general elections.