Vigário Luís Balanta, a prominent civil society activist in Guinea-Bissau and a vocal critic of the country’s military junta, was discovered dead on Tuesday, according to local media reports. The 35-year-old advocate’s body was found in the Ndam area, situated approximately 30 kilometers from the capital city of Bissau. The circumstances of his death remain under investigation, with reports suggesting that he was violently attacked and beaten to death.
Balanta was not only an influential figure in Guinea — Bissau’s civil society but also a source of inspiration for the youth of the nation. The Civil Society Social Pact, an organization of which Balanta was the spokesperson, paid homage to him as an “inspiring figure “who advocated for a dignified future within the country, rather than the prevalent option of emigration. The organization also demanded an independent investigation into his death, involving the Guinean League for Human Rights and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Balanta was the president of the Pó di Terra revolutionary movement and had been a steadfast critic of Guinea-Bissau’s transitional authorities. He had repeatedly denounced the country’s protest ban and called for the publication of the results of the presidential and legislative elections held in November 2025. The current government, led by General Horta N’tam, came to power following a coup that deposed former president Umaro Sissoco Embaló after the controversial elections.
In response to Balanta’s death, the transitional government issued a statement on Tuesday, condemning the “violent death “as “barbaric “and demanding an immediate investigation into the circumstances. The authorities emphasized the urgency of the investigation, highlighting the importance of addressing such tragic events to maintain peace and stability within the nation.
Source: Africanews
