Saturday, April 14, 2012

Confusion over Guinea-Bissau PM after 'coup'


There is confusion over the whereabouts of Guinea-Bissau's Prime Minister, Carlos Gomes Junior, after soldiers launched an apparent coup.
Earlier reports said Mr Gomes had been arrested by the army, but diplomats told the BBC they believe he is safe somewhere in the capital, Bissau.
Soldiers have been seen outside several embassies, apparently searching for Mr Gomes, who is running for president.
Meanwhile, the UN Security Council has strongly condemned Thursday's revolt.
A statement firmly denounced the "incursion by the military into politics" and called on the army rebels to ensure the safety of Mr Gomes, interim President Raimundo Pereira, and all senior officials currently detained.
In Bissau, a communique issued by the "military command" - as the rebel troops have named themselves - said its forces had detained the head of the armed forces, Antonio Indjai.
Earlier on Friday, a military press attache, Francelino Cunha, told the Associated Press that Prime Minister Gomes had been arrested inside his home - the scene of heavy gunfire and military activity on Thursday night.
The UN statement said the members of the Security Council "urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint, refrain from violence and remain calm."
"[They] note with profound regret that these events are occurring just prior to the launch of the campaign for the second round of the presidential election."
The suspected coup has also been denounced by the West African regional grouping, Ecowas, which said the military had once more demonstrated its "penchant to maintain Guinea-Bissau as a failed state".
Ecowas recently intervened in Mali, where there was a coup last month, ordering the coup leader to hand over power after imposing sanctions.
'Doing well'
Diplomatic sources quoted by the BBC's Thomas Fessy said Prime Minister Gomes was safe somewhere in Bissau.

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