Guinea-Bissau Freezes Relations With Cape Verde Over Opposition Leader Dispute

Diplomatic tensions rise after Praia calls for release of detained politician Domingos Simões Pereira

Guinea-Bissau has announced it is freezing political relations with Cape Verde after accusing the neighbouring country of interfering in its internal affairs.

The decision follows calls from Cape Verde for the immediate release of Guinea-Bissau’s main opposition leader, Domingos Simões Pereira, who has been held in pre-trial detention over allegations linked to an attempted coup.

Pereira was detained a week ago and accused of involvement in an alleged coup attempt in October 2025, including claims that he helped finance the plot. He has denied wrongdoing.

The opposition leader also faces separate accusations involving financial crimes and alleged involvement in a 2023 coup attempt.

Pereira was among several senior political figures detained by the military after soldiers seized power in Guinea-Bissau in November 2025.

The military takeover came shortly after presidential and legislative elections, when the army removed President Umaro Sissoco Embaló from power.

Before his latest detention, Pereira had been under house arrest in Bissau after being released from prison in January.

Cape Verde’s government had urged Guinea-Bissau authorities to release Pereira, raising concerns over the treatment of political figures and the country’s judicial situation.

However, Guinea-Bissau’s National Transitional Council, a legislative body created by the military authorities, rejected Cape Verde’s comments.

A spokesperson for the council said Cape Verde had no right to interfere or comment on Guinea-Bissau’s political and legal matters.

The council announced the freezing of “political” relations between the two countries but did not provide details on what practical measures the decision would involve.

The diplomatic dispute is particularly sensitive because of the historical connections between the two nations.

Cape Verde’s ruling party has longstanding ties with Pereira’s political organisation in Guinea-Bissau. Both countries also share a history of cooperation, having fought together in a joint liberation struggle against Portuguese colonial rule between 1961 and 1974.

Relations between Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde have traditionally been shaped by cultural links, shared history and regional cooperation within West Africa.

The latest disagreement comes as Guinea-Bissau continues to face political instability following years of military involvement in government affairs.

The November 2025 coup has raised concerns among regional and international organisations about democratic stability and the protection of political rights in the country.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other international partners have previously called for constitutional order and peaceful political processes in Guinea-Bissau.

As tensions grow between Bissau and Praia, attention will now focus on whether diplomatic discussions can ease the dispute or whether relations between the two countries will remain strained.