OntheWilderSide

(excerpt from) China view
Guinea-Bissau president reportedly killed after army chief slain

DAKAR, March 2 (Xinhua) — Guinea-Bissau President Joao Bernardo Vieira was reportedly killed by soldiers early Monday after a bomb attack in which the country’s military chief was slain, according to reports from the tiny West African country of 1.5 million population.

Reuters
African Union condemns Guinea-Bissau killings
Mon Mar 2, 2009 11:26am GMT

ADDIS ABABA, March 2 (Reuters) – The African Union called on Monday for Guinea-Bissau’s political leaders to rally behind the legitimate authorities in the West African country after its president and army chief of staff were killed.

The African Union’s top diplomat, Jean Ping, said in a statement the killing of President Joao Bernado “Nino” Vieira on Monday and armed forces chief of staff army General Batista Tagme Na Wai a day earlier were “cowardly and heinous attacks”.

“The (AU Commission) Chairperson has initiated contact with regional leaders on how best to address the current situation. Consultations are also underway to convene an emergency meeting of the Peace and Security Council, to review the situation and to take the appropriate steps,” the statement said.

Background on the “tiny West African state” of Guniea-Bissau at the Guardian UK: here.

Filed under: international politics, News, Political Websites Tagged: | Africa, African Union, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Joao Bernardo Vieira, Political Websites, West Africa