(3 minutes read)
- At least 11 people were killed at the cross firing when some soldiers resorted to coup to dethrone Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo on Tuesday
- The dead include military and paramilitary forces and four civilians
- The government sources pointed out that the attempted coup was planned and perpetrated by people with ulterior motives with the support of people with financial capabilities
At least 11 people were killed at the cross firing when some soldiers resorted to a coup to dethrone Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo on Tuesday. The dead include military and paramilitary forces and four civilians.
The government sources pointed out that the attempted coup was planned and perpetrated by people with ulterior motives with the support of people with financial capabilities. There are versions that the coup was attempted with the support of the drug mafia. President himself had alluded to such charges yesterday when he made the statement to the wire agencies, as reported by www.trendsnafrica.com.
Heavy gunfire was heard near the presidential palace in Bissau. The government is making investigations and surveillance to identify the perpetrators of the coup. A commission of inquiry has already been set up. In the meantime, ordinary life has been restored though there is heavy surveillance. Businesses are running smoothly.
International agencies have expressed concern about the development in the west African country, which is heavily indebted and plagued by rampant corruption. Chairman of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have expressed their grave concern over the situation. Guinea-Bissau has had nine coups and attempted coups since its independence from Portugal in 1974.
