By: Abdoulie John
As Guinea-Bissau continues to grapple with a lingering political crisis following last year’s military takeover, the country’s main opposition party, the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), has sent a high-level delegation to a major regional conference on peace and conflict resolution.
PAIGC spokesperson Muniro Conté is attending the gathering in Senegal’s capital, Dakar, which has drawn political actors, social leaders, policymakers, and experts from across Africa and beyond. The conference, which opened this week, focuses on strengthening dialogue, stability, and social cohesion on the continent.
In a statement issued Wednesday and obtained by The Alkamba Times, the PAIGC described the meeting as a vital platform for promoting peaceful solutions to Africa’s challenges. “The meeting brought together various political and social actors and experts committed to promoting peace, stability, and social cohesion on the African continent,” the party said. “The PAIGC’s participation underscores its interest in contributing to the strengthening of dialogue as a fundamental tool for the prevention and peaceful resolution of conflicts.”
Guinea-Bissau has struggled with chronic instability since gaining independence from Portugal in 1975. The West African nation has endured multiple coups d’état, undermining democratic progress and national unity. The latest military intervention last year has heightened concerns about the country’s ability to restore constitutional order and maintain cohesion.
Comrade Besna Gastão Silva Sumba Tonha, PAIGC Secretary for the Senegal Sector, joined Conté. The party said the delegation reflects the high importance it places on peace, social dialogue, and intra-African cooperation.
“Resolutely committed to ensuring that political stability prevails in the tiny West African country, the PAIGC made it clear that lasting peace is built through dialogue, inclusion, and the ability to find common solutions to the challenges facing our African societies,” the statement added.
Observers view the PAIGC’s active engagement at the Dakar conference as both a diplomatic move and a signal of the party’s readiness to contribute constructively to regional efforts to resolve Guinea-Bissau’s crisis. As the country searches for pathways back to stability, participation in such forums may help foster the inclusive conversations many believe are essential for long-term peace.
