Guinea-Bissau’s military authorities have allowed detained opposition leader Domingos Simões Pereira to leave the country for medical treatment in Portugal, according to his family.
Pereira, a former prime minister and leader of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), was transferred back to prison earlier this month following a ruling by a military court.
The military government, which seized power in a coup last year, had released him from prison in February but placed him under house arrest over allegations involving economic crimes.
Authorities have also accused Pereira of involvement in an alleged coup attempt in October 2025, claims his family has strongly rejected.
Relatives said earlier this month that no date had been set for his trial and raised concerns about his health and personal safety while in detention.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) called on Guinea-Bissau’s authorities earlier this week to immediately and unconditionally release Pereira and all other detained political figures.
“Following international pressure, my uncle was conditionally released by the military junta and he is on his way to Portugal for medical reasons,” family representative Italma Simões Pereira said on Thursday.
Portuguese news agency Lusa reported that Pereira arrived in Lisbon on Friday morning.
His departure comes amid growing regional pressure on Guinea-Bissau’s military leadership over the detention of opposition politicians and restrictions on political activity.