By RFPosted on 08-11-2019Modified on 08-11-2019 at 22:24

The prime minister, appointed by the president eleven days ago, has resigned. Prime Minister Aristides Gomes, previously in office and dismissed by José Mario Vaz, remains supported by the international community.

Appointed to this post on 29 October, Faustino Imbali has submitted his letter of resignation to the presidential palace, his spokesman said. According to this relative, he would not " be responsible for an armed conflict in Guinea-Bissau ". ECOWAS issued Wednesday an ultimatum to his government : resignation or sanctions.

The president has not yet accepted this resignation. Also an independent presidential candidate, José Mario Vaz - nicknamed here "Jomav" - is campaigning in the north of the country. If he accepts it, according to Faustino Imbali's spokesman, " the government will cease to exist immediately ".

It is therefore a setback for the head of state, who has displayed his determination in recent days to install this new team, asking the defense and security forces to intervene. Call that remains for the moment without effect. The Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces instructed his troops to stay out of political affairs.

So there is now only one government in the country, that of Aristides Gomes, sacked by José Mario Vaz, but who continues to claim " its legitimacy ." A government supported en bloc by the ECOWAS, mediator in the crisis, and the international community.

The ECOWAS which held an extraordinary summit in Niamey. Under the aegis of Nigerian President Mahmadou Issoufou, the heads of state of ECOWAS have decided to go quickly to counter President Vaz in his attempts to keep power and thus avoid an unprecedented crisis in Guinea-Bissau.

They unanimously decided to double the ECOWAS military contingent in Bissau, which will be increased to 1,000 men within a few days and they have planned to send a delegation of five heads of state on the spot on November 16th. . President Issoufou appealed to all defense forces and judges in Guinea-Bissau to respect the ongoing electoral process.

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