The European Union said on Monday it was ending a military reform mission to Guinea-Bissau, in protest against the appointment of the leader of a military coup as the west African country's new army chief.
EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton expressed "dismay" last month at the appointment of General Antonio Indjai, who she said was responsible for a mutiny that overthrew the former army chief in April.
Launched in 2008, "the EU security sector reform mission in Guinea-Bissau, having completed its mandate, will close down on 30 September 2010," the EU said in a statement.
"Political instability and the lack of respect for the rule of law in the country make it impossible for the EU to deploy a follow-up mission, as originally foreseen, without compromising its own principals," it charged.
The troubled west African nation has been plagued by coups since independence from Portugal in 1974 and instability has attracted South American drug cartels who now use the country as a transit point to Europe.
Indjai's nomination "constitutes another setback to the process of democratic consolidation and confirms that the conditions for deployment of the new mission are not met," it said.
Ashton called following the April mutiny for a full review of the EU's engagement in Guinea-Bissau, which falls under a June 2000 treaty between the EU and 79 developing countries.
The Cotonou Agreement conditions EU economic and development aid on the respect of certain criteria including political rights.
Comments 1 to 2 of 2 Post a comment
Guinea-Bissau really needs help from the International committee especially the European union, ending up the military reform mission to Guinea-Bissau is not the solution to the problem.This little poor country with 80% of the innocent population are sufferring every day and night because of a certain section of people who feel that they own Guinea-Bissau and they can do whatever they want without fear of the Law or anything.What can we do without help ? There are no more rules , its the survival of the fittest, The mokey kingdom is safer and better to live because its govern by rules.The international committee should not sit back and leave us alone. WE REALLY NEED HELP FOR PEACE AND STABILITY !
Paul, here you go; it seems that you're one of those bigot and ill educated europeans I have ever see. Here's your coat, " Survival of the fitest, the country is suffering, and the monkey country is....." Wll, Mr. Know it all with your out of mind and sick mentality; Africa has there own way of government, therefore, she MUST giving the chance to exercises. What / who is Europe to continue to dictate to Africa where to sit and what to do, or not do?? Actually, who's Europe?? For centuries Europe have involve into Africa political, social, economic and family affairs without any concret benefits for africans or africa; instead we "africans and africa" have see our soil been eroded, minerial resources fanishing, deverstation amongs africa and africans with the introduction of homosexuality, corruptions, destruction etc . So, paul, kindly tell me why should Africa and Africans continue to allow Europe into their sovereign affairs when indeed Africa and Africans surely know the evil deeds of the Europeans since the birth of our continent "Africa" was occupied, looted, and taking away to develop Europe??? You see, stop preaching to Africa because Africa is now aware of you ill will towards us, African and Africans. Therefore, Guinea Bissau is/was absolutely RIGHT to kick Europe out !!!! Africa and Africans are tired of Criminals and Lyers like Europe who always put on a false pretending attitude just to continue their wicked tricks and bad acts toward Africa.