PAIGC Press Release on Reactionary Coup in Guinea-Bissau

African Party of Independence of Guinea and Cape - Verde

National Secretariat of the Central Committee
Permanent Committee of the Political Bureau

PRESS RELEASE

Gathered today, April 14, 2012, in Bissau, at the National
Headquarters of the Party, under the chairmanship of Comrade
Commandant, Manuel Saturnino Domingos Costa, First Vice-President of
the Party, the Permanent Committee of the Political Bureau at large to
the National Secretariat, examined the political-military situation
resulting from the military coup of April 12, 2012.

The leaders of the PAIGC were informed that during the coup d’état
that the houses of the Interim President of the Republic, who also the
2nd Vice-President of the Party; the President of PAIGC, who also
serves as the Prime Minister and candidate for President of the
Republic, (who won the first round of the presidential elections on 18
March 2012), were vandalized in addition to the houses of other
Government members.

In addition, the Permanent Committee and the National Secretariat
followed closely through the media the proposed meeting between the
self-styled military command and some political parties. The PAIGC
Party is in power and could not under any circumstances be involved in
this meeting, because the PAIGC does not recognize the democratic
legitimacy of the structure that convoked the meeting.

Given this change in the constitutional order via a coup d’état and
this attack on the Rule of Law, the Permanent Committee of the
Political Bureau, issues the following:

1. Denounce and strongly condemn the military coup of the 12th of
April and its main authors along with all manipulations underlying its
policies and responsible before the national and international
community,

2. Demands an immediate return to constitutional order that must
respect the Constitution and other laws of the Republic and the
restitution of the democratically established bodies.

3. Demands the immediate and unconditional release of the Interim
President of the Republic, Dr. Raimundo Pereira, and the Prime
Minister who is also the PAIGC candidate for presidential elections in
2012, Comrade Carlos Gomes Junior, as well as other detainees in the
occurrence of this event.

4. Rejects any undemocratic and unconstitutional proposal or solution.
The PAIGC expresses its willingness to open and honest dialogue on
behalf of the supreme national interests of Guinea-Bissau, and with
due respect for the democratic rule of law.

5. Reaffirms, to the Guinean People and the international community,
the determination of the PAIGC to not abdicate our democratic gains
dictated by universal suffrage by the Peoples’ will expressed in the
legislative elections of 2008, which led to the PAIGC being the
legitimate Government, whose mandate continues until November 2012.

6. Respects the decisions issued by the competent institutions to
resolve the complaints and appeals on this basis and demands the
immediate resumption of the electoral process leading to the
completion of the second round of presidential elections scheduled for
April 29, 2012.

7. Launch a heartfelt appeal to supporters, militants, responsible,
parliamentary group leaders of the Party, and all Guineans to remain
calm and serene, assuring them that the PAIGC is not intimidated, and
much less will not allow their democratic gains to be taken away
through hidden and unacknowledged political maneuverings.

8. Enjoying the solidarity shown by the international community to the
Guinean People at this difficult time in our life, and seeking greater
involvement and monitoring of socio-political and military
developments in Guinea-Bissau.

Long live the PAIGC!
Viva Democracy!
Long live the Republic of Guinea-Bissau!

Issued in Bissau, on the fourteenth day of April 2012

The Standing Committee of the PAIGC Political Bureau

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