ARMED groups Tuesday attacked the Nigerian embassy in Bissau, capital of
Guinea-Bissau, a country of about 1.7 million people. The reason for the
action is not yet known.
The event is happening just as the country is preparing for its general
elections slated for next month.
Guinea-Bissau currently has an Interim President, Manuel Serifo Nhamadjo,
who emerged in May 2012 to head a transitional government following the
sacking of the countrys democratically-elected government by a military
coup.
According to The Guardian sources, armed personnel and militias stormed the
Nigerian embassy in a commando style, attacking everyone in sight and
eventually causing the closure of the Nigerian sovereign outpost.
As at press time, members of staff of the embassy, including the Nigerian
envoy to that country, Ambassador Ahmed Adams, were said to be taking refuge
in a police station. No casualty has so far been reported.
All efforts by The Guardian to reach the Nigerian envoy to the country
failed. Although his telephone rang, he did not pick.
Although the Federal Government was yet to officially react to the
development yesterday, it was learnt that the supervisory Minister of
Foreign Affairs 11, Ambassador Nurudeen Mohammed, rushed to the Presidential
Villa yesterday ostensibly, among other things, to brief President Goodluck
Jonathan. All efforts to reach the minister yesterday on the matter failed.
Events in Guinea-Bissau took a dangerous turn on April 12, 2012, when the
army arrested Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Júnior who was about to be elected
president. A military junta accused him of conspiring with Angola to curtail
the militarys power and quickly installed transitional authorities, before
officially stepping aside on May 22. International condemnation was swift,
but differences developed between the Economic Community of West African
States (ECOWAS) and the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP).
The country was actually in the process of conducting elections when the
military overthrew the constitutional order on April 12, 2012. This incident
resulted in the suspension of the country from all international
organisations. However, following the countrys inability to form a
government well over a month after the coup, Nigeria, in close collaboration
with ECOWAS, assisted in negotiations that resulted in the transitional
government led by President Manuel Nhamadjo. Since then, Nigeria has
provided various forms of assistance to Guinea- Bissau to the value of $50
million.
The Guardian learnt Tuesday that some high grade pick-up vans meant to be
donated next week to Guinea-Bissau for the upcoming elections have now been
put on hold following yesterdays ugly development.
Thé Mulindwas Communication Group
"With Yoweri Museveni and Dr. Kiiza Besigye Uganda is in anarchy"
Kuungana Mulindwa Mawasiliano Kikundi
"Pamoja na Yoweri Museveni na Dk. Kiiza Besigye Uganda ni katika machafuko"
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