ECOWAS urges Guinea-Bissau junta to free political detainees including Domingos Simoes Pereira | Ukraine news

A regional push aims to rebuild public trust amid a fragile transition after last year’s coup. The appeal could influence the lead up to the referendum and elections.

DAKAR, July 21 – The West African bloc ECOWAS has called on the military government of Guinea-Bissau to unconditionally release all detained political figures, including opposition leader Domingos Simoes Pereira, after the conclusion of the heads of state summit in Sierra Leone, the statement says.

The release of all political prisoners could bolster trust in the transition process.

– ECOWAS

Context and Key Points of the Statement

• The release of all political prisoners could bolster trust in the transition process, according to the ECOWAS statement released on Monday. Guinea-Bissau seized power last year after a coup and imposed a one-year transitional charter.
• Pereira, the former prime minister and head of PAIGC, was sent back to prison on July 10; he had previously been held on the day of the coup, and in February was moved to house arrest to calm the situation. He is accused of economic crimes and involvement in the alleged coup in October 2025, which he denies.
• Guinea-Bissau plans to hold a constitutional referendum on August 30, followed by general elections on December 6, 2026, according to the ECOWAS statement.
• The Guinea-Bissau government has not officially announced the dates of the elections.
• A government spokesman did not immediately respond to questions about Pereira on Tuesday.

To help the situation develop further, ECOWAS calls for transparency and a return to democratic norms, which they believe will ensure stability and the people’s trust in the transition process.