Domingos Simões Pereira (born 1963), widely known by his initials DSP, is arguably the most influential civilian politician in Guinea-Bissau. As the President of the PAIGC—the historic party that led the country to independence—and a former Prime Minister, he has been the primary political rival to Umaro Sissoco Embaló for years. Following the November 26, 2025, coup d’état, he was arrested and remains in military custody as the nation’s most prominent political prisoner.
Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Domingos Simões Pereira |
| Born | October 20, 1963, Farim, Guinea-Bissau |
| Current Status | In Custody (Detained since November 26, 2025) |
| Political Party | PAIGC (African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde) |
| Former Office | Prime Minister (2014–2015); President of Parliament (2023) |
| Education | Civil Engineering (Odessa, Ukraine); Political Science |
| Nickname | “Matchu” or DSP |
The Eternal Rivalry with Embaló
DSP’s career has been defined by his leadership of the PAIGC and his persistent struggle against the “Embaloism” movement.
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2019 Election: He won the first round of the 2019 presidential election but was defeated in the runoff by Embaló. DSP challenged the results for months, alleging fraud, which led to a protracted constitutional crisis.
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President of Parliament: In 2023, his coalition won a majority in the legislative elections, and he was elected President of the National People’s Assembly. However, Embaló unconstitutionally dissolved the parliament just months later, forcing DSP into a period of political exile in Portugal.
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Barred from 2025: He returned to Bissau in September 2025 to run for president. However, the Supreme Court (which critics claim was under Embaló’s influence) barred him from contesting, citing pending legal investigations. In response, he threw his support behind Fernando Dias da Costa.
The 2025 Coup and Detention
On November 26, 2025, as the military moved to depose Embaló and suspend the election results, DSP was one of the first leaders arrested.
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The Arrest: While other leaders like Fernando Dias managed to flee to the Nigerian embassy, DSP was detained by the military during the initial chaos in Bissau.
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The Junta’s Bargaining Chip: The High Military Command has kept him in custody for over a month. Analysts believe he is being held as a “hostage of the transition” to prevent the PAIGC—the country’s largest party—from mobilizing mass protests against the junta.
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Recent Headlines (Dec 24, 2025): Just yesterday, on Christmas Eve, the junta released six of DSP’s closest political associates as a “sign of good faith.” However, DSP remains in detention.
Current Status (Christmas Day 2025)
As of December 25, 2025, Domingos Simões Pereira remains the central figure in Guinea-Bissau’s diplomatic standoff.
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International Advocacy: The African Union, ECOWAS, and the United Nations have repeatedly demanded his “immediate and unconditional” release. On December 10, the Human Rights League launched a major campaign for his freedom.
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Legal Battles: Even from prison, his legal team continues to fight at the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, arguing that his rights to freedom of movement and political participation have been violated by the Bissau-Guinean state.
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The Face of Resistance: Despite his incarceration, DSP remains the symbolic leader of the “constitutionalist” movement in Guinea-Bissau, with his supporters viewing him as the rightful architect of the country’s democratic future.