Anti-coup protest breaks out in Guinea-Bissau

Hundreds of Bissau-Guineans marched through Bissau, the country’s capital city, to protest last month’s military coup and demand the release of opposition leaders.

The protesters clashed with security forces on Friday while calling for the release of Domingos Pereira, head of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), who was reportedly detained during the coup.

Military officers had announced a coup in the Portuguese-speaking West African nation days after a presidential election, and just hours before results were set to be declared.

President Umaro Embaló and Fernando Dias da Costa, his main opponent, had both declared victory before the electoral commission could announce the results.

The junta later installed Horta Inta-a, a major-general, as interim leader.

After the coup, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)  suspended Guinea-Bissau from the regional bloc until constitutional order is restored in the country.

The bloc made its decision known in a communique after it convened an emergency virtual summit of heads of state and government on the situation.

The regional heads will meet on Sunday to address the crisis and impose possible sanctions against the West African country.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the junta unveiled a 12-month transitional charter prohibiting Inta-a and his prime minister from participating in future elections.

(The Cable)