The case against Domingos Simões Pereira moved forward after the military prosecutor's office argued that there is evidence of the leader's participation in an alleged attempt to alter the constitutional order, which occurred in October 2025.

The prosecution accuses the president of PAIGC of providing 300 million CFA francs and his residence to prepare the plan. The defense rejects this version and contests the competence of the military jurisdiction. The order determined preventive detention and transfer to the cells of the Second Police Station of Public Order in Bissau.

The measure replaces the house arrest applied since January 30th, after approximately two months of detention initiated during the military coup of November 26th, 2025. Authorities have not yet detailed the accommodation conditions, authorized visits, or available medical assistance.

The defense classifies the process as political persecution and claims that the decision seeks to restrict the main opposition leader's authority. The PAIGC maintains that the measure aggravates the repression against forces opposed to the transitional power. The African Union had already demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Simões Pereira and the other political detainees.

Pre-trial detention alters the balance between the transitional power and the opposition. Domingos Simões Pereira leads the PAIGC and maintains a significant capacity for political organization. By placing him in a police station, the process goes beyond personal effects and limits the activity of the main opposition party, at a time when the transition seeks to consolidate decisions without a completed electoral mandate.

The institutional problem includes the use of a military court to investigate a civilian leader after a constitutional breakdown. In this context, every decision requires guarantees of independence, an effective defense, full adversarial proceedings, and credible judicial oversight.

Without these safeguards, pre-trial detention can function as a premature punishment and fuel doubts about the purpose of the process. Detention also reduces the PAIGC's ability to respond to the political process that was interrupted after the November elections.

The party loses the direct presence of its president in meetings, diplomatic contacts, and internal decisions. This absence favors the transitional authorities, weakens organized dissent, and increases fear among leaders, members, and supporters.

Authorities argue that the measure stems from an investigation related to state security. The defense responds that the accusation has a political purpose and seeks to block the release demanded by regional partners.

Between the two positions, one fundamental obligation remains: to present verifiable facts, guarantee access to the case files, and prevent deprivation of liberty from replacing a trial.

ECOWAS, the CPLP, and the African Union are now facing a test of coherence. A reaction limited to generic appeals would leave the transitional power with greater leeway to control its adversaries. External pressure will be effective if it demands access for defense, dignified detention conditions, a procedural timetable, and guarantees against further political persecution in the country.

The transfer of Domingos Simões Pereira to a police station exacerbates a crisis that already included the interruption of elections, military dominance, and the reduction of political freedoms. The process can continue, but the legitimacy of the decision will depend on the competence of the court, the quality of the evidence, and full respect for the rights of the defense.

The prolonged detention of the PAIGC leader also affects political participation and the preparation of any credible electoral solution. The transition lacks confidence when the main opponent remains deprived of liberty without a transparent judicial timetable and without public guarantees regarding the conditions of detention.

The regional response will be measured by its ability to transform appeals into concrete demands. Regular access to lawyers, medical assistance, independent oversight, and a reasoned judicial decision are minimum conditions to prevent justice from being confused with political repression.

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