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Guinea-Bissau: Junta and parties seek political solution
On Thursday, unidentified soldiers calling themselves “the military commando” attacked Gomes’ home with rocket-propelled grenades and detained him, ensuring he joins the ranks of all the other leaders who never have finished a term of office in the country’s nearly 40 years of independence. Other government leaders are in hiding.
The mutineers claim they have a secret document that Gomes signed with Angola’s president authorizing Angolan troops — in Bissau to carry out reforms of the military — to “annihilate” Guinea-Bissau’s top soldiers.
The ECOWAS, which has condemned the soldiers, on Friday said it will send a military contingent to provide security in Guinea-Bissau. The bloc also agreed to send a civilian-military delegation to mediate led by President Alpha Conde of Guinea.
ECOWAS’ condemnation was quickly echoed by the United Nations, the European Union and the United States.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press
