“The transition in Guinea-Bissau is at a standstill,” warned Alioune Tine. In a statement on the social network X, the leading figure of African civil society painted a bleak picture of the current situation in Bissau. According to him, the country is mired in a “deep malaise” where democratic mechanisms appear to have completely broken down.

According to Alioune Tine, civil liberties in Bissau are now reduced to their bare minimum. A regime of severe restrictions is being established, warns Mr. Tine.

"ECOWAS, which is overseeing the democratic transition in Guinea-Bissau, must ensure that the recommendations and directives are followed up with the Guinea-Bissau authorities. Today, the unease is profound because the transition in Guinea-Bissau is at an impasse," he wrote in a tweet.

Before adding: "The headquarters of political parties are closed, political activities are prohibited, press conferences are prohibited, and the slightest deviation can cost you your life with the existence of armed militias that sow terror."

In addition, according to Tine, "the leader of the PAIGC, Domingos Simoes Pereira, is being arbitrarily detained under house arrest without a court order." Furthermore, he continues, "it was thanks to the intervention of General Birame Diop that he was released from the prison where he was being held alongside criminals."

To break this deadlock, the founder of AfrikaJom Center believes that ECOWAS can no longer be content with a distant observer role. He urges the regional organization to ensure strict follow-up to its own recommendations to the Guinea-Bissau authorities through a joint mission with Senegal.

“Presidents Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Mada Bio should initiate a joint mission to Guinea-Bissau with UNAWAS, to help Guinea-Bissau get out of the impasse, by restarting democracy, allowing parties to carry out their activities and demanding the release of Domingos Simoes Pereira,” he said.