Operation Mar Verde, the troubled waters of Guinean memory

Audio 19:30

Ahmed Sékou Touré AFP

By: Carol Valade Follow

21 mins

On November 22, 1970, just fifty years ago, Guinea's fate was about to change.

The Portuguese Empire in decline was then put in difficulty on its territory of present-day Guinea-Bissau.

Lisbon will try everything for everything by organizing for the first time in its history and in the greatest secrecy a lightning attack outside its borders.

Objective: to overthrow the regime of Sékou Touré, the main support of the independence rebels.

Publicity

The coup partially failed, but would kick off the biggest wave of repression in Guinea's history.

Back to this little-known episode in colonial history.

(Replay)

►Also read: Guinea: fifty years ago, “Mar Verde”, the Portuguese attack on Conakry

Newsletter

Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_FR

  • Guinea

  • Portugal

  • Story

On the same subject

Guinea: fifty years ago, "Mar Verde", the Portuguese attack on Conakry

Africa report

Fiftieth anniversary of Operation Mar Verde in Guinea: the troubled waters of memory