As Nigeria’s military authorities continue to grill some military officers fingered in alleged coup plot, another African country, Guinea-Bissau , says it has prevented an “attempt to subvert the constitutional order” .
According to Guinea-Bissau’s army, several senior military officers have been detained just before the launch of the country’s election campaign.
“This action aimed to disrupt the electoral process,” General Mamadu Ture, deputy chief of staff, told reporters at a press briefing on Friday. He did not reveal how many officers were taken into custody or detail their alleged plans.
Campaigning is set to begin Saturday, around three weeks before legislative and presidential elections expected to feature incumbent Umaro Sissoco Embalo as the frontrunner, following the disqualification of the main opposition.
After a cabinet meeting on Thursday, Embalo warned that “no disorder will be tolerated,” stressing that the “government has taken all necessary measures to ensure the safety of each candidate during this campaign.”
Among those arrested is Brigadier General Daba Nawalna, head of a military training centre located about 30 kilometres (18 miles) from the capital, Bissau. He is accused of being one of the masterminds of the alleged plot, according to Ture.
The West African nation has experienced multiple coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. However, since its 2014 presidential election, Guinea-Bissau has been striving to strengthen its democratic institutions and uphold the rule of law.
Post A Comment: