Demonstrations Formally Banned in Guinea Bissau

The government of Guinea-Bissau has issued a stark warning, prohibiting public demonstrations or rallies in the country.

The Ministry of Interior and Public Order which issued the order on January 15, 2024, explained that the measure is due to ongoing operations involving the search and seizure of firearms. The firearms in question were reportedly taken from a barracks during incidents related to alleged coup attempts on February 1, 2022, as well as on November 30 and December 1, 2023.

Commissioner Salvador Soares, the national commissioner of the Public Order Police (POP), made the announcement in response to “information circulating on social media” about potential public demonstrations.

The announcement came about a week after President Umaro Sissoco Embaló’s January 6, 2024 speech in which he asserted his commitment to restoring order in Guinea-Bissau.

For a country racked by cartel violence and serial coups d’état, including two failed attempts in the last one year, it appears that by default, the ex-military officer will become more stringent with national security measures and strengthen democratic institutions.

But the next sentence would jolt any champion of freedom of expression and assembly into rude awakening.

“There will be no more ‘pagaille’ (disorder), and any demonstrations will be met with an appropriate response,” the President affirmed in his speech, explicitly likening demonstrations to disorder. By this decision, Guinea Bissau has joined neighbouring Guinea in officially banning public processions. And like its junta-ruled francophone neighbor, the Portuguese-speaking country has in recent times been a tough environment for media practice.