Guinea-Bissau opposition leader ordered held under house arrest after questioning

Domingos Simoes Pereira, leader of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), was ordered kept under house arrest by a Guinea-Bissau military court after being questioned over accusations he plotted a coup against the military government, his lawyer said.

Court appearance and security

Pereira appeared before the military court on Thursday, where heavy security surrounded the building. Joao Paulo Indeque, one of Pereira’s lawyers, told reporters that his client had answered all of the judges’ questions.

“Domingos Simoes Pereira did not participate in any attempt to subvert the constitutional order. He knew nothing about it, we are certain of that,” Indeque said.

Detention history and accusations

Pereira was detained when the army overthrew President Umaro Sissoco Embalo on 26 November last year. He was released under house arrest in January.

The military has accused Pereira of involvement in at least two attempted coups: one in 2023 and another in October 2025.

Political context

The west African nation has experienced multiple coups and attempted overthrows since independence, and the current military government is led by General Horta N’Tam.