By RFPosted on 13-11-2019Modified on 13-11-2019 at 13:10

In Guinea-Bissau, the discontent rises against a decision taken by the heads of state of the Economic Community of West African States. The latter have decided to send additional troops while the country is plunged into a political imbroglio in the run-up to the elections. The measure is strongly contested in Bissau.

Faced with the danger that the political crisis in Guinea Bissau could cause, ECOWAS therefore decided to increase its force deployed on the spot to prevent the current electoral process from being called into question. This decision was taken during an emergency meeting of ECOWAS devoted to the latest upheavals as of the Guinea-Bissau political crisis in Niamey on November 8, 2019.

" ECOWAS can not tolerate for any reason the destabilization of a Member State ". It is in these terms that the current president of the ECOWAS, the Nigerian Mahamadou Issoufou , had justified at the summit, the decision to send additional troops in Guinea-Bissau.

An anti-Cédéao feeling

The measure makes waves and creates, since, an anti-Cédéao sentiment. A national patriotic movement was even created in Bissau to oppose what its founders called " an invasion of Guinea-Bissau by foreign troops ". António Artur Sanha, former Prime Minister and coordinator of the movement urges the crowd to protest against Ecomib's military forces: " Down with the decision of the ECOWAS. Dear compatriots, today's meeting is different from the others. Because it is a question of getting up to protest firmly against the invasion of our country by a foreign force. A military force that plans to subject us to humiliation ".

For the candidate Idrissa Diallo joined on the phone by RFI, it is the president José Mario Vaz himself, who created this situation of panic within his country and in the sub-region: " It is the irresponsible attitude and dangerous of the President of the Republic, which created this situation of panic. I just think we will not need these troops ... " The arrival of the troops must be preceded by the visit of five heads of state, including President Alpha Condé, mediator of the crisis in Guinea-Bissau.

The country is plunged into a political imbroglio since the dismissal, on October 28, 2019 of the Prime Minister Aristides Gomes by his political adversary, the President Jose Mario Vaz. Since then, the appointed Prime Minister, Faustino Imbali , has resigned, explaining that he does not want to " be responsible for an armed conflict in Guinea-Bissau ".

►Also read: In Guinea-Bissau, the political crisis impacts the country's economy

    On the same subject

    Guinea-Bissau: the tourism industry at half mast

    Political crisis in Guinea-Bissau: ECOWAS strengthens Ecomib

    Guinea-Bissau: the pressure of the ECOWAS

    comments