Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bissau (Agenzia Fides) - "The ruling military seems to be back and the military leaders themselves have apologized to Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior, who was placed under arrest. It is difficult, however, to understand what are the maneuvers that led to the tension of recent days," Fides has learned from a source from the local Church in Bissau, the capital of Guinea Bissau, where on 1 April a group of soldiers arrested Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior, in addition to the Joint Chief of Staff, Gen. Jose Zamora Induta, along with 40 officers.
In the following days, Gomes resumed his duties after meeting with President Malam Bacai Sanha, who renewed his confidence in him, asking him to remain at his post. "General Induta is still in custody at a military base near the capital city of Bissau," said a Fides source, which for security reasons does not want to be quoted by name. His place was taken by Deputy General Antonio Indjai who, after leading the military rebels, then assured of his loyalty to the government.
“It is not clear what the motive is behind this maneuver. Certainly, there is the implication of Admiral Jose Americo Bubo Na Tchute, former Navy commander, accused of organizing an attempted coup in 2008, who had been taking refuge since last December 28 at the UN Headquarters in Bissau. He is currently at his home, undisturbed," says our source. Many commentators argue that behind the coup interests is cocaine trafficking, of which Guinea-Bissau has become an important link between Latin America and Europe. "Drug trafficking has played a role, but there are other interests," said the source of Fides. "The soldiers themselves, who are often involved in political life, do not always act on their own initiative. In some cases, there are politicians who use the military, promising them economic and career benefits," concludes Fides' source. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 8/4/2010)
