GUINEA-BISSAU: POLITICS:
Coup leaders under pressure to restore democracy

5/4/2012 3:27:29 AM
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GUINEA-BISSAU - Rebel leaders have released Guinea-Bissau's Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior and interim president Raimundo Pereira, who were arrested in the country's Apr. 12 coup, and have flown them to Côte d'Ivoire. - The release of the two statesmen is an encouraging response by the junta to demands by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for the immediate restoration of constitutional rule. ECOWAS wants the junta to restore constitutional order immediately and has sent a contingent of at least 500 soldiers to the country, which has been in crisis since the government overthrow. During a summit held in Abidjan on Apr. 26, Ivorian president Alassane Ouattara, the current head of ECOWAS said the usurpation of power by the junta in Guinea-Bissau can no longer be tolerated. He added that the coup leaders must step down and allow a transition process to be put in place quickly. At the conclusion of the summit, ECOWAS warned that if the junta in Bissau did not accede to its demands, the regional body would immediately impose sanctions on members of the military command and their associates. Guinea-Bissau's coup occurred on Apr. 12, as the country was awaiting the second round of presidential elections planned for the end of April. Soldiers fired on the residence of the prime minster, Carlos Gomes Junior, subsequently arresting him and the country's interim president, Raimundo Pereira. (END/RADIO BULLETIN EDITOR/2012)

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