ECOWAS Slams Attempt
To Destabilise Guinea Bissau
The
ECOWAS has condemned in strong terms the reported attempt by a
section of the military junta in Guinea Bissau to destabilise
that country.
A statement by the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja expressed
‘serious concern’ about reports of ongoing attempts to
destabilise the country by a section of the military junta.
The statement, on Thursday, warned those responsible for the act
of ‘a robust response and dire consequences from ECOWAS and
the entire international community’.
It noted that the attempt was coming at a time when the
successful presidential election of July 2009 had created the
required environment for ECOWAS and the international community
to strengthen the democratic and national reconciliation
process.
’’ECOWAS is therefore, watching the developments in the
country very closely and will leave no stone unturned in its
efforts to defend the democratic gains and maintain stability in
the country,’’ the statement said.
It urged the AU and the UN to view the latest act by the
military as an opportunity to scale-up ’’our joint efforts to
stabilise the political, security and economic situation in the
country’’.
The statement appealed to Guineans to remain calm while efforts
were being made to restore normalcy.
ECOWAS statement comes as a report of the arrest of the former
Prime Minister and another senior official was received.
The officials were later released after a brief detention.
NAN/Yinka
