Keypoints:
- Guinea-Bissau expels Lusa, RTP Africa and RDP Africa; departures due by August 19
- Portugal condemns move as ‘unjustifiable’ and summons Guinea-Bissau’s ambassador
- Expulsion deepens election tensions amid ECOWAS withdrawal and disputed term
GUINEA-BISSAU has ordered the expulsion of Portugal-based news outlets—including state news agency Lusa and public broadcaster RTP Africa, as well as RDP Africa—in a move sharply rebuked by Lisbon.
‘Highly reprehensible and unjustifiable’
Portugal’s Foreign Ministry voiced strong condemnation, summoning the ambassador of Guinea-Bissau to Lisbon for an urgent meeting scheduled on Saturday. The ministry described the expulsions as ‘highly reprehensible and unjustifiable’.
No reasons given amid brewing election crisis
The decree issued by Guinea-Bissau’s government on August 15 provided no explanation for the decision. The affected media representatives have been given until August 19 to depart the country.
The expulsions come amid growing political unrest. President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, who assumed office in 2020, has announced his intention to seek a second term—despite earlier pledges to step down—fuelling growing opposition amid postponed elections.
Tensions over term expiry
Opponents insist Embalo’s mandate should have ended in February 2025, while he maintains power and has already appointed a new prime minister, Braima Camara, on August 7—the third since his term began.
ECOWAS mission forced out
Earlier in the year, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) dispatched a political mission to help broker a credible electoral framework, only for its team to be expelled following alleged threats from President Embalo.
Elections postponed to November
The presidential and legislative elections, initially expected sooner, have now been rescheduled to November 23, 2025—a delay that has intensified political friction.
