More Senegalese troops leave

The commander of the Senegalese forces in Guinea Bissau told Shelpidi that 1,700 of the estimated 2,500 Senegalese expeditionary force had been withdrawn in line with the Abuja peace accord. Under a later deal reached by all the warring parties in Guinea Bissau, the Guineans and Senegalese have till 16 March to complete their pullout. The speedy departure of these forces has been a constant demand by the Junta. Emphasising this point, Mane told Shelpidi in Bissau that the Senegalese troops had no reason to remain in the country, since the Junta recognised ECOMOG as the sole force in charge of security. Mane told Shelpidi that although his forces had “no interest in these foreign troops” their presence continued to compound internal problems and increase suspicion. Mane said his troops had not had any problems with ECOMOG troops. “In fact,” he said, “the situation has improved greatly with their presence.” Meanwhile, ECOMOG forces have been giving medical aid to some 44,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) living in at least nine camps within the city, each holding between 20 and 2,000 people, the ECOMOG statement said.