Guinea-Bissau's decision to expel Lusa, RTP, and RDP receives firm denouncement from PSD
The Government of Guinea-Bissau has taken the decision to expel the Portuguese news agency Lusa, public broadcaster RTP Africa, and its radio arm RDP Africa. This action, which saw the suspension of their broadcasts and the order for their journalists to leave the country by August 19, 2025, has escalated tensions with Portugal and raised concerns about media freedom in the country.
The expulsion is linked to the political tensions surrounding President Umaro Sissoco Embaló's decision to seek a second term in office, despite earlier pledges to serve only one term. This move, which opposition groups claim is unconstitutional since his mandate had expired in February 2025, has sparked controversy and protests.
Foreign Minister Carlos Pinto Pereira confirmed the expulsions as a government decision but initially withheld detailed reasoning, promising to provide it in a subsequent press briefing. The expulsion is widely viewed as part of a broader political struggle and a move to restrict coverage that might be critical of Embaló’s extended presidency amid a fragile electoral environment.
Portugal has reacted strongly, condemning the expulsions as "highly reprehensible and unjustifiable." The Portuguese government has summoned the Guinea-Bissau ambassador for an explanation, and the ambassador has been asked to provide clarifications. The expulsion represents a significant rupture in relations with Portugal, Guinea-Bissau’s former colonial power and a key Lusophone partner.
The expulsion also underscores fears about Guinea-Bissau’s democratic stability and risks deepening its international isolation just before presidential and legislative elections scheduled for November 23, 2025. The PSD, a major Portuguese political party, strongly condemns and vehemently repudiates this decision. The deputy secretary-general of the PSD, Ricardo Carvalho, stated that the decision to expel the media outlets is disproportionate.
Guinea-Bissau is a country that is part of the CPLP, emphasizing the importance of the work of Lusa, RTP, and RDP in promoting the Portuguese language. The MNE, the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, affirms that relations between Portugal and Guinea-Bissau are a priority of Portuguese foreign policy, based on respect for the sovereignty of both states and the intention of improving reciprocal relations.
The Government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau has not publicly given detailed reasons beyond political justifications for the expulsion. However, the Guinea-Bissau government is open to dialogue and has promised to explain the expulsion of Lusa and RTP. The PSD, at the parliamentary group level, will evaluate the situation and decide what action to take after receiving explanations from the Guinea-Bissau ambassador.
In summary, the expulsion of Portuguese media outlets RTP, RDP, and Lusa from Guinea-Bissau was a government decision linked primarily to political tensions around President Embaló’s controversial second-term bid. The Guinea-Bissau authorities framed it as a sovereign decision but not publicly giving detailed reasons beyond political justifications. This has led to international criticism highlighting concerns about media freedom and democratic governance in Guinea-Bissau.
- The decision to expel Lusa, RTP Africa, and RDP Africa from Guinea-Bissau appears to be related to the ongoing political tensions stemming from President Umaro Sissoco Embaló's bid for a second term, which has raised concerns about media freedom and democratic governance within the country.
- The expulsion of the Portuguese media outlets is viewed as part of a broader political struggle and a move to restrict coverage that might be critical of Embaló’s extended presidency, potentially deepening Guinea-Bissau's international isolation ahead of upcoming elections.
