Guinea-Bissau’s government on Thursday confirmed that at least 11 people died during the failed coup attempt that took place earlier this week, reported Reuters.
During a press conference, Fernando Vaz, the minister of tourism and spokesman for the government of Guinea-Bissau, specified that the dead included civilians, security guards, and soldiers. He called Tuesday’s failed attempt as “violent and barbaric”.
Vaz said that the coup was aimed at assassinating President Umaro Sissoco Embalo. He added that the government salutes the courage and determination of the defense and security forces which have prevented the subversion of the constitutional order.
He accused the failed coup executors who wanted to bring chaos in the country, denounced external funding, and promised a thorough investigation to bring to justice all those responsible for the act. He reiterated the commitment of Guinea-Bissau’s authorities to defend democracy and the rule of law.
On Tuesday, gunfire erupted near government buildings in the capital of the West African nation, where the President, prime minister, and other ministers were attending a cabinet meeting.
After the gunfire stopped, President Embalo announced that the coup had been thwarted and several civilians and soldiers had been arrested. He said the attackers tried to kill him and his entire cabinet at the government palace. He added that the attackers were linked to drug trafficking in the country, without providing further details.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, West Africa’s regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said it will deploy troops to Guinea-Bissau to help stabilize the country following the failed coup attempt.
“This is something that we will do very rapidly to ensure that this type of attempt of take-over power by force does not take place,” said ECOWAS Commission President Jean-Claude Kassi Brou.
Guinea-Bissau’s government has witnessed nine coups or attempted coups since 1980.
