In the thick of it…

Mauritanian’s recent coup prompts us to highlight some quotations from civilians, leaders, military personnel and aid workers caught up in recent coups or attempted coups - from IRIN’s recent coverage.

Timor-Leste, February 2008

"We don't need to wait. We, the international security forces, are actually in hot pursuit."
Hermanprit Singh, deputy UN police commissioner, in February 2008 following assassination attempts on President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.

Democratic Republic of Congo, May 2006

"It is a joke… Which foreigner can try a coup in this country at a time when the international community is here with the 16,500 UN mission troops? This is, perhaps, a ruse to stop people exercising their vote on 30 July."
A Roman Catholic priest on condition of anonymity following the arrest of 32 mercenaries for plotting a coup against the government of Joseph Kabila in May 2006.

Chad, April 2006

"I’ve heard the rebels are at the edge of the city."
Arlette, a government worker, waiting in a long queue to withdraw money from a bank in N’djamena in April 2006 as rumours of a possible coup engulfed the city.

“We are scared but there is no alternative. We will wait to see what happens tomorrow. I have made reserves [of food and water] for my family so we will not starve if there is war.”
An unidentified N’djamena shopkeeper in April 2006.

Mauritania, August 2005

"The chairperson... reaffirms the total rejection by the AU of any unconstitutional change of government."
Statement by the 53-member AU following the army’s ousting of Mauritanian President Maaouya Ould Taya by the Military Council for Justice and Democracy in August 2005.

Togo, February 2005

"What's happened in Togo does not honour Africa... We've told our Togolese brothers not to go in this direction. It's the worst route they could take, it's bad."
Niger's President Mamadou Tandja, after Faure Gnassingbe was formally sworn in as Togo's new president.

Cote D'Ivoire, 2002

"I was scared; there was constant gunfire, we couldn't go out to get food."
Princess (not her real name), 41, after the New Forces rebels launched an armed insurrection against Cote D'Ivoire's government five years.

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