Guinea-Bissau: Attack on the Residence of Fransual Dias.
Early this morning, May 5, 2023, the residence and vehicle of the Guinean jurist Fransual Dias were attacked by armed men, causing great repercussions in Guinea-Bissau. After the attack, Fransual Dias declared that he has no doubts that it was intentional and accused the Government of Sissoco Embaló.
The Occurrence
Armed men set Fransual Dias' car on fire and left several projectile fragments outside the building. Although he was at home at the time of the attack, the jurist was not injured.
Days before the attack, Fransual Dias had warned of signs that the President of the Republic, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, would be interested in governing the Republic of Guinea-Bissau alone. After the attack, the jurist again criticized the Government and said he felt threatened.
“Be that as it may, it is nothing more than violence that the President has installed in the country since he came to power”.
“It completely changed the rules of the democratic game, choosing violence as the only way to act to intimidate uncomfortable voices”.
The attack on the home and car of Guinean jurist Fransual Dias is yet another episode in a series of attacks that have taken place in the country since Sissoco Embaló took over as president.
Other Attacks
Fransual Dias was not the only one to be the target of threats and attacks. In May 2022, the Guinean opposition deputy, Agnelo Regala, was the victim of an attack near his residence in Bissau, having suffered injuries to his leg as a result of shots fired at him.
Also last year, the residence of the well-known political commentator for Rádio Capital FM, Rui Landim, was attacked. And, in 2021, lawyer Luís Vaz Martins held the President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, responsible for the attempt on his life, which took place in the capital.
Fransual Dias accused the Government of being behind the attack and of having installed violence as the only way to act to intimidate the uncomfortable voices. In addition, the jurist warned that freedom of the press and expression are dying in the country.
Conclusion
The situation in Guinea-Bissau is alarming and requires attention from both the country and the international community. It is unacceptable that violence is used as a way to silence dissenting voices and that people are attacked in their own homes.
It is important that measures are taken to guarantee the security of citizens and the maintenance of fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of expression and of the press.
What do you think about this situation in Guinea-Bissau? Could it be that another coup attempt is coming soon? We want to know your opinion, do not hesitate to comment and if you liked the article, share and give a “like/like”.
Picture: © 2023 DR
