Guinea-Bissau president dies

Guinea-Bissau’s president Malam Bacai Sanhá. PHOTO/Roosewelt Pinheiro / Agência Brasil

President Malam Bacai Sanhá, who took power of the tiny West African nation Guinea-Bissau about two years ago after the previous leader was assassinated, died on Monday.

The 64-year-old was admitted to the Val de Grace military hospital (in Paris), just before Christmas. The nature of his illness has never been made public, but officials said he had “been in a coma for a while”.

Bissau national radio announced his death Monday afternoon.

During his absence when he remained in hospital, there was a coup attempt in Guinea-Bissau which was crushed by loyal forces.

The African Union has already appointed Burkina Faso’s President Blaise Compaore to mediate the politico-military conflict in the troubled country.