What You Need to Know
Denisia Reis Embalo, wife of former Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, is under investigation in Portugal for alleged money laundering. This follows the arrest of a passenger carrying €5 million in cash from Bissau to Lisbon, raising suspicions of a financial network linked to the ousted president. The case has drawn significant attention amid recent political turmoil in Guinea-Bissau.
Africa. The Portuguese judiciary police announced that Denisia Reis Embalo, the wife of former Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, is under investigation in connection with a case involving suspected smuggling and money laundering.
The case emerged after the arrest of a passenger arriving from Bissau to Lisbon carrying approximately €5 million in cash, raising widespread suspicions about a financial network linked to the circles close to the ousted president.
The police clarified that Embalo’s wife was on the same flight and that her legal status is directly related to this case, without disclosing further details.
Initially, the flight from Guinea-Bissau was registered as military in nature, and it was supposed to head to the city of Beja in southern Portugal after a stop in Lisbon.
However, investigations revealed discrepancies in the information provided to aviation authorities, which heightened suspicions regarding the nature of the transported funds.
Local media reported that the detained individual is Tito Fernandes, a close associate of Embalo, who was later released after appearing in court.
These developments coincided with a military coup that took place in Guinea-Bissau in late November, just before the announcement of preliminary results for the presidential and legislative elections held on the 23rd of the same month, where the military declared full control over the country and suspended the electoral process.
Guinea-Bissau has faced political instability for decades, marked by coups and corruption. The recent military coup in November 2023, which occurred just before the presidential and legislative elections, has further complicated the political landscape. The investigation into Denisia Reis Embalo highlights ongoing concerns about financial misconduct among political elites in the region, especially following the military’s assertion of control over the country during this tumultuous period.
