A priest in Guinea-Bissau received death threats after he posted critical comments about President Umaro Sissoco Embaló on social media on January 2.
On December 29, Bishop Lampra Cá and other spiritual leaders met with Prime Minister Nuno Nabiam. The bishop later told journalists that the country “cannot be happy if its children and citizens do not cooperate in a sense of impeccable moral behavior and a sense of responsibility and respect.” the laws of the country”.
According to a report by Deutsche Welle news agency, President Embaló, who once quarreled with Prime Minister Nabiam, accused Bishop Lampra Ca of interfering in politics.
Embaló has been president since February 27, 2020, but he previously served as prime minister from November 18, 2016 to January 16, 2018.
Father Tamba issued a lengthy statement questioning the president's comments, asking for respect for the bishop and reaffirming the bishop's right to comment on political matters. and society of the West African country.
“Due to the nature of his work, the Bishop is not actively involved in political activities and never has been. But fortunately, because of his mandate, he is and will continue to be a moral leader. He can intervene at any time in anything that seems unjust to him and give guidance on res publica – that is, what is public.”
The priest also criticized the president's statement that each religious leader belongs to his Church, where God is present.
“The president's concept of God's presence should be redefined, because God is everywhere and we firmly pray that the good God is also present in our political palaces and buildings. Government".
“But, as we can see, the head of the Presidential Palace claimed that God was absent from his workplace. Maybe that's why he wanted the bishop to keep his distance, just as the devil tries to stay away from the Crosses.”
The next day, the priest started receiving threats.
“Someone called me at dawn and asked if I was Father Tamba. Then the person said: “You know that we can smash you to pieces in a few minutes, right?” “Tamba told Crux.
Since then, Father Tamba has implemented a number of security measures, but he continues to carry out his daily activities.
“Today I brought a young man with me to celebrate Mass in two villages”
“I don't hide at home. I will continue to work and continue to reflect on the situation of my country on my social media.”
The Bissau-Guinean Federation for Human Rights issued a statement on January 6 condemning those who made threats against the priest and urging authorities to investigate the incident.
“It is an unacceptable attempt to intimidate and silence those who are critical of the government. Embaló and his supporters want to implant a dictatorship and tyranny, so they have difficulty dealing with opposing opinions,” Bubacar Turé, Vice President of the League, told Crux .
Turé accused Embaló of human rights violations against journalists, members of civic organizations and religious leaders.
About 45 percent of Bissau-Guinea's 2 million people are Muslim and 22 percent are Christian.