Guinea Bissau coup plotters - The ECOWAS Commission on Wednesday expressed disappointment at attempts by a section of the Armed Forces of Guinea Bissau to destabilize the political situation in the country in the early hours of 26 December, 2011. In a statement, signed by the ECOWAS Commission President, James Victor Gbeho, and made available to PANA here, the Commission said the latest episode in a chain of acts of gross indiscipline and disregard for democratic principles by the military, flies in the face of the strenuous efforts being made by ECOWAS, with the support of the international Community, to help the Government and people of Guinea Bissau to shore up the fragile democratic transition and reform the Defence and Security System in order to realize their country’s enormous potential for progress.

'At a time when the ECOWAS Region is making strides in the efforts to consolidate democracy, socio-economic development and ride the unfolding global economic turmoil, the Commission wishes once more to articulate ECOWAS’ policy of ‘zero tolerance’ for any acts of impunity and subversion of constitutional order,' the statement indicated.

While strongly condemning the attempted putsch and expressing its relief that the anti-democratic enterprise has been thwarted and normalcy restored in the country, the ECOWAS Commission wishes to reassure the citizens of Guinea Bissau that it will continue to closely monitor events in the country with a view to responding appropriately and firmly to any further attempts from any quarters to disturb the peace and compromise the rule of law.

Earlier, the ECOWAS Chairman and Nigeria's President, Goodluck Jonathan, had condemned any actions that could destabilize Guinea-Bissau and threaten the peace and security of the West African sub-region as a whole.

Jonathan said while the reasons for this unfortunate situation are yet to be fully ascertained, 'reports indicate that they are not unconnected with agitation for pay rise and rivalry within the military hierarchy'. 

'This development, which comes on the heels of the absence of the democratically-elected President, Mr. Malam Bacai Sanha, from the country, on medical treatment in Paris, France, is unacceptable,' the ECOWAS Chair said, warning against any action that could endanger the constitutional order, rule of law and democratic institutions of Guinea-Bissau.

The latest crisis in the West African nation started Monday, when the dissidents attacked the army headquarters.

Though no one was killed in the initial clash, the renegade troops seized weapons, the army said.

The army chief later said naval chief Jose Americo Bubo Na Tchuto, who had earlier been accused of coup plans, had been arrested over the attacks.

Pana 29/12/2011