Guinea-Bissau’s ruling military junta has released six opposition members who were detained following a coup last month. The freed individuals are reportedly close associates of Domingos Simoes Pereira, the head of the PAIGC party, which led the country to independence in 1974. Pereira himself has been in custody since the coup.

The High Military Command, the junta’s governing body, described the releases as a sign of good faith and a step towards restoring constitutional order and respecting international rights. The military seized power on November 26, ousting outgoing President Umaro Sissoco Embalo after a presidential vote. The electoral process was subsequently suspended, and the military announced it would control the West African country for a period of one year.

In the aftermath of the coup, another opposition candidate, Fernando Dias, sought refuge in the Nigerian embassy, which granted him asylum. Embalo, the ousted president, fled the country after being briefly detained by the military. Recently, Senegal’s Foreign Minister, Cheikh Niang, led a delegation to Guinea-Bissau, where he met with detained opponents and requested their release.

The release of the six opposition members is seen as a significant development in the country’s transition. The international community has been calling for the restoration of democratic order and the respect of human rights in Guinea-Bissau. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has also been involved in efforts to resolve the crisis, with the regional bloc imposing sanctions on the junta.

As the situation in Guinea-Bissau continues to unfold, the international community remains watchful, with many calling for a swift return to democratic rule. The release of the opposition members is a positive step, but concerns about the country’s future remain. The junta’s commitment to respecting international rights and restoring constitutional order will be closely monitored in the coming weeks and months.