The West African Bar Association (WABA) has issued a scathing condemnation of the worsening human rights situation and disregard for the rule of law in Guinea-Bissau, accusing President Umaro Sissocó Embaló of eroding judicial independence and suppressing dissent. In a statement released to the press, WABA highlighted a disturbing pattern of repression allegedly orchestrated by the country's leadership, particularly targeting legal professionals, political opponents, and critics of the government.

At the center of these claims is President Embaló, who has been accused of eroding judicial independence and suppressing dissent. According to WABA, the President of the Guinea-Bissau Bar Association, Januário Pedro Correia, and his family have received threats following his public denunciation of the government. Correia's remarks came during a press briefing on January 31, 2025, where he criticized President Embaló for failing to initiate elections or a political transition process, as his tenure nears its end in February 2025.

WABA revealed that following this address, threats were made against Correia and his family, allegedly due to his outspoken stance against the regime. The association described the situation as a "calculated assault" on the legal profession and an affront to the rule of law. The government's actions have led to the suffering, displacement, and loss of life of some individuals, with little or no accountability, WABA lamented.

In a particularly concerning development, WABA reported that the government forcefully evicted the Guinea-Bissau Bar Association from its Secretariat headquarters, despite existing court orders that had barred the eviction. The premises were then handed over to a government agency, in blatant defiance of court orders. This move is seen as a further attempt to silence dissenting voices and undermine the rule of law in the country.

Lawyers representing individuals accused of being involved in an alleged coup attempt have also been harassed for simply performing their legal duties. WABA stressed that these lawyers are constitutionally mandated to defend their clients without interference. The association urged regional bodies and international partners to intervene immediately to address the deteriorating human rights situation in Guinea-Bissau.

The situation in Guinea-Bissau has drawn attention from regional and international bodies. Recently, an ECOWAS delegation visited Guinea-Bissau as part of a peace mission, underscoring the urgency of the situation. WABA's condemnation of the human rights abuses and erosion of judicial independence in Guinea-Bissau is a call to action for the international community to take immediate action to address the crisis.

The developments in Guinea-Bissau have far-reaching implications for the region and beyond. The erosion of judicial independence and suppression of dissenting voices can have a chilling effect on democracy and human rights across West Africa. As the international community continues to grapple with the complexities of promoting democracy and human rights, the situation in Guinea-Bissau serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and collective action to protect the rule of law and fundamental human rights.