Pulse logo
Pulse Region

Guinea Bissau president's critic beaten up, his group says

The leader of a Guinea Bissau civil society group critical of President Jose Mario Vaz, was violently attacked in his own home Friday by unidentified assailants, his group told AFP.
Guinea-Bissau has been in the grip of a power struggle since August 2015, when current President Jose Mario Vaz sacked then premier Domingos Simoes Pereira
Guinea-Bissau has been in the grip of a power struggle since August 2015, when current President Jose Mario Vaz sacked then premier Domingos Simoes Pereira

Legio Monteiro is head of the Vigilant Non-Compliant Citizen's Movement, which is considered close to the ruling PAIGC party and which is campaigning to end a long-running political crisis between the party and the president.

Monteiro was struck on the head and body and his injuries are being treated at a secret location, sources close to him said, adding that his life was not in danger.

The tiny west African state has been in the grip of a power struggle since August 2015, when Vaz sacked then premier Domingos Simoes Pereira, leader of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC).

A new prime minister, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, was sworn in last December but PAIGC rejected him, accusing Vaz of breaching an agreement calling for a consensual choice of prime minister.

Recommended For You

Last week members of Monteiro's group were badly beaten by police during a protest march, attended by PAIGC officials.

"The struggle will continue despite these attacks on our members," Sana Cante, the movement's coordinator told AFP.

Subscribe to receive daily news updates.