Fernando Dias da Costa (born c. 1978) is a Bissau-Guinean lawyer and politician who emerged as the primary challenger to President Umaro Sissoco Embaló in the November 23, 2025, general election. Though he ran as an independent, he became the unified face of the opposition. Following a military coup that erupted just as election results were being finalized, Dias declared himself the rightful winner and sought refuge in a foreign embassy to avoid arrest.
Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Fernando Dias da Costa |
| Born | June 14, 1978 (47 years old) |
| Political Party | Independent (supported by PRS and PAI-Terra Ranka) |
| Former Office | President of the Party for Social Renewal (PRS); Vice-President of Parliament |
| Current Status | In Asylum (At the Nigerian Embassy in Bissau since Dec 1, 2025) |
| Claim to Fame | Most likely winner of the annulled 2025 presidential election. |
Political Background
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The PRS Leader: Before his independent run, Dias was a heavyweight in the Party for Social Renewal (PRS), eventually becoming its president in 2024. He served as the Minister of Territorial Administration and was a Vice-President of the National People’s Assembly.
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The Unified Challenger: In 2025, when the Supreme Court barred the popular opposition leader Domingos Simões Pereira from running, the main opposition coalition (PAI-Terra Ranka) threw its immense weight behind Dias. This transformed him from a “relatively unknown” figure into the most formidable threat to Embaló’s re-election.
The 2025 Election and the “Stolen” Victory
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Election Day (Nov 23): The vote was described as peaceful with high turnout. On November 24, both Dias and Embaló claimed victory. Dias asserted he had won over 50% of the vote in the first round, effectively avoiding a runoff.
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The Coup (Nov 26): Just one day before official results were due, the military (led by Dinis Incanha) seized control of Bissau. Gunmen reportedly destroyed nearly all election tally sheets at the National Electoral Commission (CNE) headquarters, making an official result “impossible” to announce.
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The “Hidden” Results: Despite the destruction of records, independent media reports and leaked tallies suggest Dias was indeed ahead of Embaló by approximately 10,000 to 15,000 votes, lending weight to his claim of being the “President-elect.”
Current Status (Late December 2025)
As of Christmas Day 2025, Fernando Dias remains one of the most protected and sought-after figures in West African diplomacy.
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Asylum in the Nigerian Embassy: On December 1, 2025, following a harrowing escape from a detention attempt, Dias was granted asylum by the Nigerian government. President Bola Tinubu authorized his protection, citing an “imminent threat to his life” from the Bissau-Guinean military junta.
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Refusal to Recognize the Junta: From within the embassy, Dias has issued statements through social media refusing to recognize the transitional government of Horta Inta-A Na Man. He continues to refer to himself as the legitimate leader of the country and has called for civil disobedience to “restore electoral truth.”
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International Standoff: Nigeria and ECOWAS have used Dias’s presence in the embassy as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the junta. As of December 25, the junta has banned all protests and strikes, while Dias remains the primary symbol of the democratic process that was suspended by the coup.