Foreign media faced increased restrictions in Guinea-Bissau as the country approach election day

In a worrying development, Guinea-Bissau has faced criticism from various international organisations and opposition figures following the sudden shutdown of public broadcasters RTP and RDP, and the news agency Lusa on August 15.

The expulsion of these Portuguese media outlets appears to directly contradict Guinea-Bissau's obligations as a member of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), which includes upholding principles such as press freedom, pluralism, and media access.

Umaro Sissoco Embaló, the President of Guinea-Bissau, has been at the centre of this controversy. Serving since February 27, 2020, Embaló is a political scientist, military officer (general), and previously served as Prime Minister from November 2016 to January 2018. His mandate has officially expired, and he has announced plans to run again in November. Embalo dissolved parliament on December 4, 2023, after days of violent unrest, and has since ruled by decree, without parliamentary oversight.

Sadibou Marong, RSF's West Africa director, described the government's shutdown of the media networks as a "severe blow to press freedom." Marong pointed to recent attacks on journalists, citing an armed attack in 2022 on the private station Capital FM, and multiple reporters being arrested and intimidated during demonstrations.

Indira Correia Balde, the head of Guinea-Bissau's journalists' union, SINJOTECS, stated that journalists are being systematically obstructed in their work, publicly insulted, and prevented from doing their jobs. Balde described an atmosphere of growing fear since President Embalo came to power in 2020.

Opposition figure Baciro Dja strongly condemns the government's blocking of RTP, RDP, Lusa, and other media outlets. Dja, a member of the Patriotic Alliance Inclusive - Cabaz Garandi (API-CG), believes the decision could be an attempt to manipulate elections.

Domingos Simoes Pereira, leader of the largest opposition party PAIGC (African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde) and president of the dissolved National Assembly, expresses concern about the erosion of democracy and civil rights in Guinea-Bissau. Pereira warns that the country is dangerously close to the threshold of dictatorship.

The political climate remains tense, with doubts about whether Guinea-Bissau is moving toward stability or whether new turmoil lies ahead. Parliamentary and presidential elections are scheduled for November 23, 2025, under close international scrutiny.

Marong expressed concern that the remaining journalists will come under increasing pressure and will no longer be able to report freely and independently. Marong stated that the shutdown, imposed three months before the elections, suggests the authorities intend to restrict and influence coverage.

No official explanation has been given by the government for the media network closures. Several international organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the European Newsroom (ENR), and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), have strongly criticized the expulsions.

Portugal's government has so far reacted cautiously, stressing its intention to resolve the conflict through diplomatic channels. Ties with the Portuguese-speaking world are a matter of state policy for the Portuguese government.

As Guinea-Bissau currently holds its rotating presidency in the CPLP, this incident raises questions about the country's commitment to upholding the principles of press freedom, pluralism, and media access. The international community will be closely watching the developments in Guinea-Bissau in the lead-up to the elections.

Foreign media faced increased restrictions in Guinea-Bissau as the country approach election day