Guinea-Bissau: the E.U will review its aid

By on July 7, 2010
The European Union has declared its intention to “reconsider” the aid assistance to Guinea-Bissau because of the nomination of a new Chief of Staff, General Antonio Indjai, who toppled the former army head.

Foreign minister of the E.U, Catherine Ashton, considers the present situation could constitute a violation of the commitments of Guinea-Bissau in terms of respect for the human rights, democracy and rule of law taken within the context of the Cotonou Agreement.
The Cotonou Agreement between the European Union and many African countries, Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP) provides economic aid and development, however, conditioned to respect various criteria, including political ones. The E.U had established a mission in 2008 to support the reform of the security sector (police, judiciary, and army). Its term expires November 30, but might not be extended because of the recent mutiny. This last “coup” within the army intervened  a year after the double murder, in March 2009, of Chief of Staff, General Batista Tagmé Na Wai and President Joao Bernardo Vieira.
Ashton is “dismayed by the recent appointment of General Antonio Indjai as chief of staff, given the fact that he was primarily responsible for the mutiny of April”. She called also for the release of the previous army chief.
Accordingly, “she calls for an overall involvement review of the European Union in Guinea Bissau”.

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