Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bissau (Fides Service)- “The revolt seems to be over but doubts and concern remain” local sources in Bissau, capital of Guinea Bissau, after the recent army revolt (see Fides 7 October 2004). “Since yesterday evening when the President Henrique Rosa told the nation that the revolt was over calm has returned and this morning most children are at school. The army returned to barracks and life is back to normal” local sources told Fides. The Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior said on 8 October an agreement would be signed with the army to settle the matter.
“There is concern for future. This was a serious episode. Contrary to what was said initially when reports were fragmentary and confused, the revolt involved almost the entire army and not just a group who had returned from the UN Mission in Liberia and wanted to be paid. The rebels killed staff officer general Verissimo Seabra and army spokesman, colonel Domingos Barros, but the plan was to eliminate all the officers” the local sources told Fides.
Local sources told Fides what happened: “The coup was announced on Monday 4 October by the Prime minister Carlos Gomes Junior, during a speech to opening a new school in a remote area. His speech was broadcast on national radio the next day 5 October but no measures had been taken to prevent the coup. On Wednesday 6 October the troops staged a revolt and then decided to return to barracks”.
“The event is still a mystery. Why did the Prime Minister choose to announce the attempted coup in an isolated place instead of trying to prevent it? Was it to bring the rebels into the open so they would bring forward the plan for revolt?” our sources wonder.
“We have the impression that other people are behind the army, perhaps political leaders who want to take power from the old Party which won the March election. This new episode of violence shows that once again the country is on the brink of collapse. No one cares about the common good. All our leaders want to is power to use for the own ends. The situation of the health service and school system is disastrous, people are left to fend for themselves” the sources told Fides.
The crisis in Guinea Bissau started with a coup on 14 September 2003 which ousted President Kumba Yalla, accused of leading the country to ruin. An interim government was installed on 28 September 2003 to prepare for parliamentary elections held in March this year. Next year a president will be elected. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 8/10/2004 righe 45 parole 586)
