Lisbon, April 1, 2026 (Lusa) – The prime minister of Guinea-Bissau's transitional government ordered the reopening of several private radio stations on Tuesday that the Ministry of Social Communication had earlier closed for allegedly failing to pay licence fees.

Radio Sol Mansi, owned by the Catholic Church, reported the information on its social media page.

The decision followed a meeting between Ilídio Vieira Té and the Forum of Private Media Outlets of Guinea-Bissau (FOCSP-GB). The minister of Social Communication, Abduramane Turé, and government advisors attended the talks.

"The government of Guinea-Bissau ordered the resumption of broadcasts for all private radio stations following a long meeting this afternoon between the prime minister and the Forum," the Catholic broadcaster said.

Ministry of Social Communication inspectors ordered the closure of private radio stations and their facilities nationwide early Tuesday morning. Several affected outlets announced the measure on social media, citing an alleged failure to pay licensing fees.

The move impacted approximately 10 stations, including commercial, religious, and non-governmental organisations.

According to a statement from Sol Mansi, the initial order required an "immediate stop to transmissions, the sealing of equipment, and the precautionary seizure of assets where necessary".

Private radio stations operate without valid operating licences, according to the broadcaster’s interpretation of the government's position. Others hold expired licences without renewal, fail to prove payment of annual fees, or maintain outstanding debts with the Ministry of Social Communication.

The government threatened to permanently close non-compliant stations if they failed to regularise their status, Sol Mansi said in the communiqué. Each station must pay five million CFA francs (approximately €7,500) to obtain an operating licence.

The prime minister of the transitional government decided during Tuesday’s meeting that his cabinet will assume the chair of the commission negotiating with the Forum. The commission handles payment modalities for the alleged debt claimed by the Ministry of Social Communication.

The commission’s first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 10:00 a.m (Bissau time). The group aims to draft a new proposal for the fees radios must pay to obtain licences and will analyse other relevant issues for the media sector.

Ilídio Vieira Té ordered that all payments remain suspended while the commission works on the new proposal, according to Rádio Sol Mansi.

*** Lusa’s delegation in Guinea-Bissau has been suspended since August following the government's expulsion of Portuguese media representatives. Coverage is currently being provided remotely *** ANP/RYOL // ADB. Lusa