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French Ambassador Francois Chappellet told IRIN today that France would ship 600 ECOMOG interposition troops to Bissau from Dakar, Senegal, on 1 February. He said France would provide logistical support to the troops from The Gambia, Niger and Togo and pay each soldier 100 francs (US $60) daily “most likely” until the end of ECOMOG operations in the country.
Arrival of the ECOMOG troops will pave the way for the complete withdrawal of the Guinean and Senegalese troops who backed President Joao Bernardo Vieira against a military revolt spearheaded by his former armed forces chief of staff.
Under a peace treaty signed in November 1998, ECOMOG is supposed to replace the Senegalese and Guineans, a government of national unity is to be formed and presidential elections held by the end of March. Radio France Internationale reported that the government and the Military Junta had agreed to empower the government of national unity today.
Meanwhile, the Portuguese news agency, Lusa, reported yesterday that Monday’s discussion on the timetable for the withdrawal of the Guineans and Senegalese was still ongoing. Lusa quoted Military Junta spokesman Zamora Induta as expressing confidence that his group and rival loyalist government forces would reach agreement.
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
