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Guinea-Bissau president is buried Guinea-Bissau president is buried
(about 4 hours later)
The state funeral has taken place of the former President of Guinea-Bissau, Joao Bernardo Vieira.The state funeral has taken place of the former President of Guinea-Bissau, Joao Bernardo Vieira.
Mr Vieira, in power for more than two decades, was assassinated a week ago by soldiers, hours after the military chief was killed in a bomb attack.Mr Vieira, in power for more than two decades, was assassinated a week ago by soldiers, hours after the military chief was killed in a bomb attack.
Not a single international head of state attended the service.Not a single international head of state attended the service.
During the service, Mr Vieira's tearful daughter Elisa begged the thousands of her compatriots in attendance to "stop killing ourselves".During the service, Mr Vieira's tearful daughter Elisa begged the thousands of her compatriots in attendance to "stop killing ourselves".
The West African state has long been unstable and has been made increasingly fragile owing to the fact that it has become a major drug trafficking hub.The West African state has long been unstable and has been made increasingly fragile owing to the fact that it has become a major drug trafficking hub.
The country has remained relatively calm since the murders.The country has remained relatively calm since the murders.
Slow investigationSlow investigation
The region is relieved there has not been a power struggle within the military, says the BBC's West Africa correspondent Will Ross. Haunted by history of crisis Obituary: President Vieira The region is relieved there has not been a power struggle within the military, says the BBC's West Africa correspondent Will Ross. Haunted by history of crisis Obituary: President Vieira
However, ethnic divisions within the army are of concern.However, ethnic divisions within the army are of concern.
Before the burial in Bissau's cemetery there was a military guard of honour for Mr Vieira and soldiers fired a 21-gun salute.Before the burial in Bissau's cemetery there was a military guard of honour for Mr Vieira and soldiers fired a 21-gun salute.
The tribute seemed a little perverse considering the president was assassinated by members of the army, our correspondent adds.The tribute seemed a little perverse considering the president was assassinated by members of the army, our correspondent adds.
The military was quick to distance itself from his death, blaming it on dissident soldiers in retaliation for the killing of the head of the armed forces, Gen Tagme Na Waie.The military was quick to distance itself from his death, blaming it on dissident soldiers in retaliation for the killing of the head of the armed forces, Gen Tagme Na Waie.
An investigation was promised but it has been slow to start.An investigation was promised but it has been slow to start.
The fact that the bloodstained home of the former president was not even cordoned off does not exactly point to a serious inquiry, our correspondent says. The fact that the bloodstained home of the former president was not even cordoned off does not exactly point to a serious inquiry, our correspondent says.Joao Bernardo Vieira was attacked at his home last week
The speaker of parliament, Raimundo Pereira, is now the interim leader of Guinea-Bissau and he has the task of organising elections within the next two months.The speaker of parliament, Raimundo Pereira, is now the interim leader of Guinea-Bissau and he has the task of organising elections within the next two months.
Meanwhile, civil society groups have warned that some politicians are encouraging the military to take over power.Meanwhile, civil society groups have warned that some politicians are encouraging the military to take over power.