Guinea-Bissau: three officers sacked, a month after the coup attempt

The Government Palace in Bissau after the attack of February 1, 2022, February 4, 2022. © Charlotte Idrac / RFI

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1 min

In Guinea-Bissau, three senior officers of the Guinea-Bissau army have been relieved of their duties.

This is the first change at the top of the military hierarchy, after the February 1 coup.

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With our correspondent in Bissau,

They are the Deputy Chief of Staff, General Mamadù Krumah Turé, the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Admiral Carlos Alfredo Mandugal, and the Commander of the National Guard, Colonel Sadio Cissé.

No official explanation has yet been given for this decision.

According to several observers, this important change at the head of the army would be the logical consequence of the attitude of the officers in question during the assault on the seat of government by soldiers and police, some of whom are still on the run.

This attack took place while the Bissau-Guinean government was in the middle of the Council of Ministers.

There was President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, his Prime Minister Nuno Gomes Nabiam and members of government.

These had remained blocked under the fire of the assailants and the reinforcements had not come until five hours later.

Moreover, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, General Biaguê Na Ntan, did not hide his disappointment with what he called the guilty immobility of the high military hierarchy.

►Also listen: Attempted coup in Guinea-Bissau: the president accuses "drug cartels", the opposition wonders

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• Umaro Sissoco Embalo

• Guinea-Bissau