Freedom House Condemns Attempted Coup in Guinea-Bissau

Freedom House condemns an apparent attempted coup in Guinea-Bissau by military forces who seized control of state media and the ruling party’s headquarters on April 12. Soldiers arrested the country’s prime minister, Carlos Gomes Jr. and interim president, Raimundo Pereira,  on April 13. The revolt occurred just weeks before a presidential runoff election, in which Gomes was expected to defeat challenger Kumba Yala, who himself was overthrown from the presidency in a 2003 coup.  Freedom House calls for the immediate return to civilian rule so that elections scheduled for April 29 may proceed as planned.

According to media accounts of communications with military commanders, the coup is targeting government officials, including Gomes, who allegedly plotted to enlist troops from neighboring Angola to attack Guinea-Bissau’s own armed forces.  Angola has stationed troops in the country over the past year as part of a bilateral military agreement.  Gomes was detained by mutinous military forces almost exactly two years ago in April 2010, but was quickly released and allowed to retain office.  

Guinea-Bissau is ranked Partly Free in Freedom in the World 2012 and Freedom of the Press 2011. The country has been plagued by political instability, having witnessed three coups since 1998 and a presidential assassination in 2009. Generally free and fair elections have been frequently undercut by military intervention and the influence of the drug trade.

Learn More:

Freedom in the World 2011: Guinea-Bissau
Freedom of the Press 2011: Guinea-Bissau