Dili, Aug. 11, 2026 (Lusa) - Guinea-Bissau and the forthcoming presidency of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) will be discussed at the meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Portuguese-speaking organisation, to be held on 19 August in Dili.
Next week's meeting of ministers of foreign affairs will be preceded by meetings of the focal points and the permanent consultation committee, which are due to begin on Thursday, explained Joaquim Fernandes, general leader of the Commission for the CPLP's rotating presidency, at a press conference on Tuesday.
With regard to Guinea-Bissau, «a draft resolution will be considered» within the «framework of the CPLP's commitment to stability, constitutional order and democratic principles», said Joaquim Fernandes, emphasising that member states are continuing their efforts to engage in dialogue.
Guinea-Bissau was suspended from the CPLP in December, following a coup d'état that deposed Umaro Sissoco Embaló and halted the electoral process, preventing the announcement of the results of the November 2025 general election.
The CPLP presidency, which had been held by that African country, passed to Timor-Leste.
When asked by Lusa whether the CPLP's foreign ministers would address the issue of the organisation's next presidency for the period 2027–2029, the Timorese official said that the «matter is sensitive», but that the «Council of Ministers meeting will discuss this as well».
At the Bissau summit in 2025, the heads of state and government failed to reach a consensus on the allocation of the next presidency of the organisation, with some supporting Equatorial Guinea and others Brazil.
In an interview with Lusa in July, the Timorese President, José Ramos-Horta, argued that the organisation's rotating presidency should go to Brazil.
The 31st ordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers will also discuss the CPLP's strategic agenda for the period 2027–2033 and the drafting of the New Strategic Agenda for the Consolidation of Economic Cooperation for the period 2028–2023.
«Signing the Administrative Agreement for the Implementation of the CPLP Multilateral Social Security Convention is scheduled,» said Joaquim Fernandes.
The agreement will enable «the Convention to be put into practice and will strengthen social protection and the portability of citizens' social security rights within the Community», he explained.
During the meeting, a declaration on the «Consolidation of the Democratic Rule of Law and the Challenges Facing the CPLP» will also be considered to reaffirm «the member states' commitment to democratic principles, the rule of law and the strengthening of political and diplomatic coordination», added Joaquim Fernandes.
The meeting will be attended by the foreign ministers of Portugal, Paulo Rangel; Angola, Téte António; Cabo Verde, Manuel Rosa; and Equatorial Guinea, Siméon Angue.
São Tomé and Príncipe will be represented by the minister for justice, public administration and human rights, Vera Cravid, whilst Brazil will be represented by the secretary for Africa and the Middle East at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Duarte.
Mozambique will be represented by the secretary of state for Foreign Affairs and Communities, Maria de Fátima Manso.
The Executive Secretary of the CPLP, Maria de Fátima Jardim of Angola, will also take part in the meeting.
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