Bissau opposition leader detained by military tribunal

Pereira, who leads the PAIGC party, is suspected by the military justice system of involvement in multiple coup attempts, specifically in late 2023 and October 2025, and economic offenses. He was taken into custody immediately after the judge ordered his detention during an audition. Pereira had previously been imprisoned on November 26, 2025, the day of the coup that brought General Horta N'Tam to power, and was later released in January but placed under house arrest.

His lawyers boycotted the recent hearing, stating they were not informed of their client's appearance before the judge and that the procedure was outside legal frameworks. Pereira's lawyers and party denounce these actions as political persecution aimed at removing him from the presidential race scheduled for December 6. Guinea-Bissau has experienced several coups and attempted coups since its independence from Portugal.