| Suspected coup mastermind arrested in Senegal |
| 04 Dec 2008 |
| Authorities stated on 4 December 2008 that the suspected mastermind of the 23 November attempted coup and attack on the residence of President Joao Bernardo Vieira has been arrested in neighboring Senegal. Officials indicated that Navy Sergeant N’tcham Yala, who is also a close relative of opposition leader and former President Koumba Yala, was detained on 1 December and will be extradited to Guinea Bissau within a few days. Koumba Yala rejected the results of recent parliamentary elections and has openly alleged ties between Vieira and drug traffickers. Vieira’s government is reportedly looking into possible ties between Koumba Yala and the recent coup attempt. N’tcham Yala is also believed to be a strong supporter of Rear Admiral Jose Americo Na Tchuto, who was also involved in another failed coup attempt in August 2008.
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| Mutinous army soldiers attack the home of the president |
| 24 Nov 2008 |
| Mutinous soldiers from Guinea-Bissau's army attacked the residence of President Joao Bernardo Vieira in the early morning hours on 23 November 2008. Reports indicate that Vieira was inside his home in the Tchon de Pepel district of Bissau when the gunmen launched a surprise attack. In addition to targeting Vieira, local news reports claim the attackers broke into an arms depot at the residence and stole weapons and ammunition, including rocket launchers. Security forces exchanged fire with the attackers in a three-hour gun battle. One of the attackers was killed and several presidential guards were injured; part of the president’s residence was allegedly destroyed. Vieira was unharmed. Authorities stated that they brought the situation under control by the morning of 23 November. Five of the soldiers involved in the attack have been arrested, while four others remain at large. The head of the military assured the public that the military will continue to submit to the civilian authorities. The attack comes two days after the announcement of results from recent parliamentary elections and draws concern of possible unrest in the county.
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| WHO advice on Cholera in Guinea Bissau |
| 15 Oct 2008 |
| Since the beginning of May 2008, Guinea-Bissau has been facing a large cholera outbreak. As of 21 September, 7 166 cases had been reported throughout the country, among whom 133 people had died. The overall case-fatality rate stands at 1.9%, and decreases below 1% for hospitalized cases. However, the case-fatality rate reaches 9% in remote areas, indicating that rural populations affected by cholera do not have access to treatment rapidly enough to save lives. The fact that Bissau, the capital, accounts for more than 70% of all cases but only 31% of deaths also illustrates this issue. The areas with the highest attack rates are Bissau, Biombo, Bijagos and Oio. Cholera epidemics regularly resurge in Guinea-Bissau. In 2005-2006, cholera affected 25 111 people and killed 399.
Numerous national and international partners are supporting the Ministry of Health. Médecins sans Frontières (MSF-Spain) took charge of cholera treatment centres by building local capacity, and improving early detection and treatment of cases through systematic patient home visits. UNICEF is providing technical expertise and material in the area of water and sanitation; WHO has deployed an epidemiologist. A team from The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), together with an expert team from Brazil, have also arrived in the country. In addition, efforts are being made to strengthen community mobilization, health and hygiene education, and to de-stigmatize cholera among potentially-affected populations.
Cholera is mainly transmitted through contaminated water and food and is closely linked to inadequate environmental management. In many areas of Guinea-Bissau, basic infrastructures appear to be largely inefficient. The overall quality of water and sanitation remains very poor, therefore facilitating cholera transmission. Long-term prevention of cholera depends on access to safe water and adequate sanitation to prevent exposure and interrupt transmission. In addition, corpses of deceased cholera patients should be handled with extreme caution and correctly disinfected before proceeding with the burial ceremony to avoid further contamination.
WHO does not recommend any restrictions to travel or trade to or from affected areas as a means to control the spread of cholera.
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| Public services are at a minimum throughout following national strike |
| 09 Oct 2008 |
| Basic public services are at a minimum throughout Guinea Bissau on 9 October 2008 after government employees in various sectors, including health care workers, followed through on their previous threats to hold a national strike over a salary dispute. Union representatives stated that 95 percent of civil servants have joined the three-day strike that began on 7 October to demand the payment of three months back salaries. Workers are also demanding transportation stipends, and medical employees have called for the payment of a previously-promised bonus for their efforts against the recent cholera epidemic in the country. Government officials stated that minimum services must be maintained according to legal requirements and that all workers will be docked their pay during the strike period.
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| Leader of failed coup attempted arrested |
| 11 Aug 2008 |
| Officials in Guinea Bissau announced on 8 August 2008 that Navy Chief Rear-Admiral Jose Americo Bubo Na Tchuto has been arrested for leading a failed coup attempt last week. Military sources stated that Na Tchuto toured military installations throughout the country on 1 August, attempting to enlist the support of army personnel to forcefully end the ongoing political crisis in the nation. The situation in Bissau, the capital, and the country as a whole remained calm after the announcement and officials stated that an investigation is ongoing to ascertain who was involved in the plot.
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