“In terms of concrete decisions, the summit decided, first, to suspend the Republic of Guinea-Bissau’s participation in all CPLP activities until constitutional order is restored,” said José Luís Livramento after the extraordinary summit of CPLP heads of state and government, at which Cabo Verde was represented by the President of the Republic, José Maria Neves.
At the meeting, held virtually to analyse the situation in Guinea-Bissau, the CPLP heads of state and government also elected the Democratic Republic of East Timor to hold the CPLP presidency pro tempore.
José Luís Livramento explained that the choice was consensual and unanimous, since Brazil and Equatorial Guinea, which are vying for the next presidency, could not assume the position on an interim basis, while Angola and Cabo Verde were also unavailable for the transitional period.
“Two countries were vying for the presidency, Brazil and Equatorial Guinea, which therefore could not be appointed as interim presidents. Timor-Leste had already chaired the organisation, Angola has the executive secretary and Cabo Verde, due to its historical links and sensitivity to the issue, could not either,” he explained.
The minister also said that the summit’s final declaration “strongly condemns the interruption of the electoral process” following the coup d’état on 26 November. It also called for the urgent restoration of constitutional order and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees, as well as proof of life for these people.
It was also decided to send a high-level mission to Guinea-Bissau, led by the president of East Timor, to assess the country’s future conditions. The summit expressed solidarity with the Guinean people and the CPLP’s willingness to make every effort to restore institutional normality.
A self-styled “military high command” seized power on 26 November, three days after the general elections (presidential and legislative) and one day before the date announced for the release of the results in Guinea-Bissau.
The opposition and international figures have claimed that the coup was orchestrated by the then-president, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, for allegedly having been defeated at the polls, thus preventing the release of results and arbitrarily arresting several figures who supported the candidate claiming victory, Fernando Dias.
Among those detained is Domingos Simões Pereira, president of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cabo Verde (PAIGC), while Fernando Dias has taken refuge in the Nigerian embassy in Bissau.
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