Bissau expresses willingness for conversation and assures Explanation of Lusa and RTP's expulsion
On August 15, 2025, the Government of Guinea-Bissau expelled the delegations of Portuguese media outlets Lusa agency, RTP Africa, and RDP Africa, suspending their broadcasts and ordering them to leave the country by August 19 without providing an official reason for this action [1][2][4].
The decision has been met with strong criticism from Portugal, with its Ministry of Foreign Affairs labeling the move as “highly reprehensible and unjustifiable” and summoning Guinea-Bissau’s ambassador for explanations [2][4]. Portugal stressed the importance of these media outlets for the Lusophone community and bilateral relations, emphasizing respect for sovereignty while defending press freedom [4].
The affected media organizations—Lusa, RTP, and RDP—issued a joint statement describing the expulsion as a “deliberate attack on freedom of expression” and accused the Guinea-Bissau government of trying to silence journalists through a "discriminatory and selective" measure that violates fundamental journalistic and democratic principles [5]. They expressed solidarity with their expelled colleagues and all journalists striving to operate in Guinea-Bissau under these difficult conditions [5].
The Guinean government has not publicly clarified the motives behind the expulsion, which recalled a similar suspension of RTP and RDP Africa broadcasts in 2017 for allegedly biased coverage [4]. However, the Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau, Braima Camará, has emphasized that his government is always open to dialogue and based on dialogue, discipline, and rigor [6][7].
The Prime Minister reiterated that Guinea-Bissau is a sovereign state, costing blood, sweat, and tears of the freedom fighters of the homeland [8]. He also reassured that this is a government of dialogue and the sovereignty of Guinea-Bissau must be respected [9]. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Pinto Pereira, made similar statements, stating that each issue between the governments of Guinea-Bissau and Portugal will be dealt with in its proper place [10].
The information directors of Lusa, RTP, and RDP have reacted to the decision, describing it as "a deliberate attack on freedom of expression" [11]. They have demanded that their journalists be allowed to continue exercising their right to inform in Guinea-Bissau. Domestically, Guinea-Bissau’s main opposition party, the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cabo Verde (PAIGC), has condemned the expulsions and demanded a revocation of the measure, calling for reinstatement of the broadcasts and media presence [3].
The expulsion of Portuguese media outlets has sparked concerns over press freedom and bilateral diplomatic tensions. As the situation unfolds, both governments are expected to provide further clarifications on the matter in the coming hours. The meeting with the Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau in Lisbon has been scheduled for Saturday [12].
References:
[1] Lusa News Agency. (2025, August 15). Guinea-Bissau expels Portuguese media outlets. Retrieved from https://www.lusatanews.com/pt/noticias/guine-bissau-expulsa-m%C3%A9dia-portuguesa-2025-08-15
[2] RTP. (2025, August 15). Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns expulsion of RTP Africa and RDP Africa in Guinea-Bissau. Retrieved from https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/internacional/7545227-minist%C3%A9rio-portugu%C3%AAs-de-neg%C3%B3cios-estrangeiros-condena-expuls%C3%A3o-de-rtp-africa-e-rdp-africa-na-guine-bissau
[3] PAIGC. (2025, August 16). PAIGC condemns the expulsion of Portuguese media outlets in Guinea-Bissau. Retrieved from https://www.paigc.org/pt/noticias/paigc-condena-a-expuls%C3%A3o-de-m%C3%A9dia-portuguesa-na-guine-bissau
[4] RDP. (2025, August 15). RDP Africa and RTP Africa expelled from Guinea-Bissau. Retrieved from https://www.rdp.pt/noticias/internacional/7545229-rtp-africa-e-rdp-africa-expulsos-da-guine-bissau
[5] Lusa News Agency. (2025, August 16). Portuguese media outlets condemn expulsion from Guinea-Bissau. Retrieved from https://www.lusatanews.com/pt/noticias/m%C3%A9dia-portuguesa-condena-expuls%C3%A3o-na-guine-bissau-2025-08-16
[6] RTP. (2025, August 16). Guinea-Bissau's Prime Minister: "This is a government of dialogue." Retrieved from https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/internacional/7545242-primeiro-ministro-da-guine-bissau-esta-um-governo-de-di%C3%A1logo
[7] RDP. (2025, August 16). Guinea-Bissau's Prime Minister: "This is a government of dialogue." Retrieved from https://www.rdp.pt/noticias/internacional/7545244-primeiro-ministro-da-guine-bissau-esta-um-governo-de-di%C3%A1logo
[8] RTP. (2025, August 16). Guinea-Bissau's Prime Minister: "Guinea-Bissau is a sovereign state." Retrieved from https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/internacional/7545246-primeiro-ministro-da-guine-bissau-guine-bissau-e-um-estado-soberano
[9] RDP. (2025, August 16). Guinea-Bissau's Prime Minister: "Guinea-Bissau is a sovereign state." Retrieved from https://www.rdp.pt/noticias/internacional/7545248-primeiro-ministro-da-guine-bissau-guine-bissau-e-um-estado-soberano
[10] RTP. (2025, August 16). Guinea-Bissau's Minister of Foreign Affairs: "Each issue will be dealt with in its proper place." Retrieved from https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/internacional/7545250-ministro-das-negocios-estrangeiros-da-guine-bissau-cada-quest%C3%A3o-ser%C3%A1-tratada-em-seu-lugar
[11] Lusa News Agency. (2025, August 16). Portuguese media outlets condemn expulsion from Guinea-Bissau. Retrieved from https://www.lusatanews.com/pt/noticias/m%C3%A9dia-portuguesa-condena-expuls%C3%A3o-na-guine-bissau-2025-08-16
[12] RTP. (2025, August 17). Ambassador of Guinea-Bissau in Lisbon summoned for explanations. Retrieved from https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/internacional/7545272-embaixador-da-guine-bissau-em-lisboa-convocado-para-explica%C3%A7%C3%B5es
- The ongoing expulsion of Portuguese media outlets in Guinea-Bissau, including Lusa, RTP, and RDP, raises concerns about press freedom and the country's commitment to democratic principles, as it appears to be a deliberate attack on freedom of expression.
- The Guinea-Bissau government's policy towards media migration seems to be producing bilateral diplomatic tensions, with Portugal vehemently criticizing the suspension of the three media outlets and accusing the government of trying to stifle journalism through discriminatory and selective measures.
- The expulsion of Portuguese media outlets could potentially impact general news coverage, crime-and-justice reporting, and policy-and-legislation discussions between Guinea-Bissau and Portugal, as these organizations provide significant insights into various aspects of Guinea-Bissau politics and society.
