Bloodless Coup in Guinea-Bissau

14/09/2003| IslamWeb

There has been a military coup in the tiny West African country Guinea-Bissau. Soldiers are on the streets and inside radio and TV stations. Apparently the population had been told to stay home and the coup took place without a shot being fired. President Kumba Yalla has been removed from office and replaced by the army chief of staff General Seabra. At a news conference Seabra said he was now acting president and outlined why he had taken over. He said there were several motives for the coup and put the blame on the president. He said the constitution of the Republic had not been respected and neither had parliament. He said the ousted leader had clung to power with a policy of divide and rule, abused his position and ordered his security staff to arrest people without reason. The general said the army had set up a committee to restore democracy but no date had been set for elections. The president has been told he can stay in the country if he wants. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Picture dated 29 November 2000 of Guinea Bissau Commander Zamora Induta. (AFP/File/Seyllou))