Guinea-Bissau’s General Staff said on December 1, 2023 that it was detaining the head of the security unit involved in a night of clashes in the capital, assuring that the army had the situation under control.
Published on: January 12, 2023 – 12:20
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In Guinea BissauAfter the arrest of the head of the National Guard, the army announced that the situation was “totally under control.” Since that night, this unit, holed up in a barracks in Bissau, has faced the special forces. These exchanges of fire followed an apparent escape attempt by two high-ranking statesmen suspected of corruption.
The commander who led this operation eventually surrendered. According to information from RFI, it is Colonel Victor Tchongo. He therefore commanded the elements of the National Guard that, on November 30, 2023, exfiltrated the Minister of Economy Souleiman Seidi and the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Finance Antonio Monteiro from their cell. The armed men then fled to a barracks in the Santa Luzia district.
Avoid a bloodbath
This morning of December 1, heavy gunfire was still echoing in Bissau between this unit and the special forces until Colonel Tchongo decided to surrender to avoid a bloodbath, he explained.
Several of its elements were also arrested. The others are on the run. Both Minister Seidi and Foreign Minister Monteiro were safely recovered. They were returned to their cell. There are currently no reports of deaths or injuries. The army roams the streets and access to the presidential office is blocked.
charge
The trigger for these events was that the two government members were summoned to court yesterday morning and then taken into police custody. They were questioned about the suspicious withdrawal of $10 million from the state treasury.
Events that took place during the trip of the country’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo to COP 28 in Dubai.
Also read: Guinea-Bissau: Confusing situation in the country’s capital