ECOWAS condemns situation in Guinea-Bissau
Lawan Hamidu – Abuja

The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has strongly condemned reports of attack in Guinea-Bissau saying it could destabilize Guinea-Bissau and threaten the peace and security of the West African region.

Reacting to reports of attacks on the Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, by a group of dissident soldiers, the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Goodluck Jonathan, described the incident as unfortunate.

“We received with grave concern, reports of attacks on the Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, by a group of dissident soldiers.  The reasons for this unfortunate situation are yet to be fully ascertained,” Nigeria’s President Jonathan said.

He called on the people and the Armed Forces of Guinea-Bissau to refrain from any action that is capable of endangering the constitutional order, rule of law and democratic institutions of Guinea-Bissau.

The Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS said: “Mindful of its Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance that prohibits unconstitutional change of government, ECOWAS calls on the people and the Armed Forces of the country to refrain from any action that is capable of endangering the constitutional order, rule of law and democratic institutions of Guinea-Bissau.”

Reports say the attacks were as a result of agitation for pay rise and rivalry within the military hierarchy.

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