Lisbon, Aug. 31, 2026 (Lusa) - The Guinea-Bissau Human Rights League (LGDH) on Monday expressed «deep concern» over the «arbitrary detention» of two journalists from Radio Capital FM, Sulai Seide and Nelson António da Silva, for allegedly reporting on the constitutional referendum.
Lusa obtained the statement from the humanitarian organisation's official social media page.
In the statement, the League emphasises that «any arbitrary acts against journalists in the course of their duties represent a serious threat» to freedom of the press, freedom of expression and citizens' fundamental right to information – essential pillars of any democratic rule of law.
For the organisation, press freedom in Guinea-Bissau «is not a concession granted by the political authorities, but rather an inalienable guarantee» that must be upheld without intimidation, persecution or threats.
The Human Rights League points out that media professionals «cannot be regarded as enemies» of the state for fulfilling their duty to inform, warning that the suppression of journalistic work «inevitably results in the silencing» of society and the «weakening of democratic institutions».
The LGDH demands the urgent and unconditional release of journalists Sulai Seide and Nelson António da Silva, as well as a full and transparent explanation of the circumstances and legal grounds behind their arrests.
In a statement, the Firkidja de Pubis Movement also «vehemently condemned the abduction» of the two journalists from Radio Capital FM, «perpetrated by the regime's forces» in Guinea-Bissau.
According to the movement, Sulai Seidi was arrested «on unfounded allegations» of having photographed the low turnout at polling stations during the constitutional referendum and of having called for a boycott of the vote.
Nelson António da Silva was also reportedly «abducted following an altercation» at a polling station, where he was observing the vote count, the movement added.
The spokesperson for Guinea-Bissau's National Electoral Commission (CNE), Idriça Djaló, announced on Sunday that voter turnout in the referendum on the constitution proposed by the military had exceeded 50%; however, according to the opposition and civil society organisations – which had called for a boycott of the vote – the process resulted in a high level of abstention.
The Guinea-Bissau military staged a coup d'état on 26 November, one day before the results of the parliamentary and presidential elections were due to be published; they removed the then President, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, from power and pushed through a new constitution that strengthens the powers of the head of state.
The opposition regarded this as a «ceremonial coup d'état» designed to allow Sissoco Embaló to return to power through new presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled by the military for 6 December.
*** The Lusa news agency's bureau in Guinea-Bissau has been suspended since August 2025 following the government's expulsion of representatives from the Portuguese media. Coverage is being provided remotely ***
JMC/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
