Political uncertainty and drug market are ripping the country apart
The indifference that met the assassination of President João Bernardo "Nino" Vieira of Guinea-Bissau in his own house – as well as the bomb attack that killed his key adversary João Baptista Tagme Na Waie, the Army Chief a day before – signifies just how far down this drug-infested nation has sunk. Ever since winning a brutal struggle for freedom from Portugal in 1974, this country of 1.5 million has been sadly trailing behind more and more – cursed by coup d'état, aborted coups and war.
The assassinations of the President and the nation's military chief of staff threaten more volatility in the distressed West African nation. This week, the United States and Portugal – its erstwhile colonial master – joined the EU in reproaching the killings and calling for a Constitutional course to be charted. President Vieira was murdered due to the long-standing hostility between the late President and a few sections of Guinea-Bissau's armed forces. Therefore, it was only heartening to hear a senior military leader, Naval Commander Jose Zamora Induta, say that the assault on the President was a one-off event, and it did not measure up to a coup d'état, and the military will respect democratic values, even as the nation's statesmen work through the emergency.
Richard Moncrieff, noted West Africa expert at the International Crisis Group said, “My understanding of the situation is that there will be a Constitutional changeover. The issue is to what degree the armed forces will meddle. The President’s assassination substantiates the forces’ say in power. That is unacceptable and needs to be curbed.” Another troubling point for the international community is the involvement of the nation in international drug trade. Under the circumstances, volatility is the last thing one would want.
The indifference that met the assassination of President João Bernardo "Nino" Vieira of Guinea-Bissau in his own house – as well as the bomb attack that killed his key adversary João Baptista Tagme Na Waie, the Army Chief a day before – signifies just how far down this drug-infested nation has sunk. Ever since winning a brutal struggle for freedom from Portugal in 1974, this country of 1.5 million has been sadly trailing behind more and more – cursed by coup d'état, aborted coups and war.
The assassinations of the President and the nation's military chief of staff threaten more volatility in the distressed West African nation. This week, the United States and Portugal – its erstwhile colonial master – joined the EU in reproaching the killings and calling for a Constitutional course to be charted. President Vieira was murdered due to the long-standing hostility between the late President and a few sections of Guinea-Bissau's armed forces. Therefore, it was only heartening to hear a senior military leader, Naval Commander Jose Zamora Induta, say that the assault on the President was a one-off event, and it did not measure up to a coup d'état, and the military will respect democratic values, even as the nation's statesmen work through the emergency.
Richard Moncrieff, noted West Africa expert at the International Crisis Group said, “My understanding of the situation is that there will be a Constitutional changeover. The issue is to what degree the armed forces will meddle. The President’s assassination substantiates the forces’ say in power. That is unacceptable and needs to be curbed.” Another troubling point for the international community is the involvement of the nation in international drug trade. Under the circumstances, volatility is the last thing one would want.
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