Guinea-Bissau’s ruling military junta announced on Tuesday the release of six opposition figures who had been detained following last month’s coup.
The individuals freed were close allies of Domingos Simoes Pereira, leader of the PAIGC party that guided the country to independence in 1974. Pereira himself has remained in custody since the military takeover.
According to the High Military Command, the junta’s governing body, the releases are intended as “a sign of good faith and a compromise for the return to constitutional normality and respect for international rights,” as stated in a document seen by AFP.
The army seized power on November 26, removing outgoing President Umaro Sissoco Embalo shortly after the presidential vote.
Following the coup, the military suspended the electoral process and announced it would govern the West African nation for one year.
Another opposition candidate, Fernando Dias, sought refuge at Nigeria’s embassy, which granted him asylum, while Embalo temporarily fled the country after being briefly detained by the junta.
On Sunday, Senegal’s foreign minister visited Guinea-Bissau, meeting with detained opponents and calling for their release.
This month, the Economic Community of West African States (warned of “targeted sanctions” against anyone blocking Guinea-Bissau’s return to civilian governance after the coup.
Guinea-Bissau has a history of political instability, having experienced four previous military takeovers and numerous attempted insurrections since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974.
