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Guinea-Bissau leader 'attacked' | |
(9 minutes later) | |
Gunfire has erupted around the presidential palace in the West African state of Guinea-Bissau, after the army chief of staff died in a bomb attack. | |
General Batista Tagme Na Wai reportedly died after a blast late on Sunday that destroyed part of the building. | General Batista Tagme Na Wai reportedly died after a blast late on Sunday that destroyed part of the building. |
It is not clear if a coup is under way, and the whereabouts of President Joao Bernardo Vieira are unknown. | It is not clear if a coup is under way, and the whereabouts of President Joao Bernardo Vieira are unknown. |
Guinea-Bissau is one of the world's poorest states. It has a history of coups and is a drug trafficking centre. | Guinea-Bissau is one of the world's poorest states. It has a history of coups and is a drug trafficking centre. |
An army spokesman told the AFP news agency that the president had been killed. | An army spokesman told the AFP news agency that the president had been killed. |
"President Vieira was killed by the army as he tried to flee his house which was being attacked by a group of soldiers close to the head of the chief of staff Tagme Na Waie, early this morning," said Zamora Induta. | "President Vieira was killed by the army as he tried to flee his house which was being attacked by a group of soldiers close to the head of the chief of staff Tagme Na Waie, early this morning," said Zamora Induta. |
He accused Mr Vieira of being responsible for the death of the army chief of staff. | He accused Mr Vieira of being responsible for the death of the army chief of staff. |
Renegade soldiers last November attacked the presidential palace with automatic weapons in a failed coup attempt. | Renegade soldiers last November attacked the presidential palace with automatic weapons in a failed coup attempt. |
Revenge | Revenge |
An aide to General Tagme, Lt Col Bwam Nhamtchio, told AFP the chief of staff was in his office when Sunday's blast went off. | An aide to General Tagme, Lt Col Bwam Nhamtchio, told AFP the chief of staff was in his office when Sunday's blast went off. |
"He was gravely wounded and did not survive his injuries. This is a loss for all of us," Lt Col Nhamtchio said.President Vieira has ruled intermittently since 1980 | "He was gravely wounded and did not survive his injuries. This is a loss for all of us," Lt Col Nhamtchio said.President Vieira has ruled intermittently since 1980 |
State radio has confirmed that General Tagme's death. | State radio has confirmed that General Tagme's death. |
At least five people were reportedly killed in the explosion. | At least five people were reportedly killed in the explosion. |
Following the attack on the military HQ, officers ordered two private radio stations in the city to cease broadcasting. | Following the attack on the military HQ, officers ordered two private radio stations in the city to cease broadcasting. |
"For the security of the journalists, you must close the radio station and stop broadcasting. It's for your own safety," armed forces spokesman Samuel Fernandes told reporters at one station. | "For the security of the journalists, you must close the radio station and stop broadcasting. It's for your own safety," armed forces spokesman Samuel Fernandes told reporters at one station. |
"We are going to pursue the attackers and avenge ourselves," he added. | "We are going to pursue the attackers and avenge ourselves," he added. |
Plagued by coups | Plagued by coups |
It is not yet clear who was behind the attack but it once again highlights the country's fragility, the BBC's West Africa correspondent Will Ross says. | It is not yet clear who was behind the attack but it once again highlights the country's fragility, the BBC's West Africa correspondent Will Ross says. |
After last November's attack, the president was subsequently given his own militia for protection. | After last November's attack, the president was subsequently given his own militia for protection. |
In January, that militia was accused of trying to kill the head of the army and was then disbanded. | In January, that militia was accused of trying to kill the head of the army and was then disbanded. |
Guinea-Bissau has been plagued by coups and political unrest since it gained independence from Portugal in 1974. | Guinea-Bissau has been plagued by coups and political unrest since it gained independence from Portugal in 1974. |
President Vieira, just like the country's previous leaders, has relied on the army to stay in power, and personal rifts have made it a rocky relationship, our correspondent says. | President Vieira, just like the country's previous leaders, has relied on the army to stay in power, and personal rifts have made it a rocky relationship, our correspondent says. |
Guinea-Bissau - a major transit point for Latin American cocaine headed for Europe - has also been destabilised by the effects of drug trafficking. | Guinea-Bissau - a major transit point for Latin American cocaine headed for Europe - has also been destabilised by the effects of drug trafficking. |
Some officials in the army are known to have become involved in the trade, our correspondent adds. | Some officials in the army are known to have become involved in the trade, our correspondent adds. |