Army launches coup in Guinea-Bissau

THE army launched a coup in the West Africa country of Guinea-Bissau yesterday, arresting the president and ordering government ministers detained, according to reports.

An army spokesman announced the takeover on a radio station, the Portuguese news agency, Lusa, reported from Bissau, the capital.

No shooting or injuries were reported and a 7am to 7pm curfew was imposed throughout the former Portuguese colony. Portugal issued a statement urging the military to back down. “The Portuguese government regrets the military coup today in Guinea-Bissau and appeals to those behind it to return constitutional legality to the country immediately.”

A communique, said to be from the armed forces chiefs of staff was read over the radio, announcing the army was “taking constitutional power,” according to Lusa.

It ordered all members of the government to report to a public building in the capital by 10.30am, Lusa said. The army would set up a Military Committee for the Restitution of Constitutional and Democratic Order, according to the report. Reports said the streets of Bissau were calm.

Guinea-Bissau, with a population of about one million, is one of the world’s poorest countries, according to the United Nations. Food shortages are common and basic public services often do not work.

President Kumba Yala promised elections last February in an effort to stop political squabbling that was paralysing government action. However, the ballot has been repeatedly postponed because of a lack of money and organisational difficulties.