Senegalese troops clash with demonstrators

Senegalese soldiers clashed yesterday with demonstrators in Bissau, capital of Guinea Bissau, during a rally demanding the withdrawal of foreign troops from the country, news reports said.

Portuguese state radio said the trouble started when thousands of demonstrators, chanting anti-Senegalese slogans at the downtown waterfront venue of the rally, stoned a Senegalese truck full of soldiers, trying to reach their Command centre at a naval barracks.

The soldiers jumped out and started beating, kicking and punching demonstrators. However, no shots were fired and injuries were described as slight. A Guinea Bissau navy captain, Caetano Fernandes, told the Portuguese news agency, Lusa, that the clashes were “a small incident” that would not affect the ongoing effort at national reconciliation after an eight-month war. The rally was organised by the National Civil Movement for Peace, Democracy and Development.

Guinean and Senegalese troops were called into Guinea Bissau by President Joao Bernardo Vieira to help loyalist forces put down a military revolt led by cashiered armed forces chief of staff, General Ansumane Mane. Foreign troops, except those of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), are due to leave Guinea Bissau no later than 16 March, under an agreement between the warring factions.