"A delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has visited Guinea-Bissau for mediation talks with leaders of last week's coup, as regional pressure mounts on the military leaders who seized power after a disputed election. The mission, led by ECOWAS chairman and Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio, came to Guinea-Bissau on Monday to urge the military authorities for a complete restoration of constitutional order."
"The coup unfolded three days after the country's closely contested presidential election, with both main contenders incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and opposition candidate Fernando Dias da Costa claiming victory before provisional results were due to be announced. No results have been released since. During the takeover, Embalo told French media by phone that he had been deposed and arrested. He has since fled to Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo."
"The military has tightened restrictions in the country, banning all demonstrations and strikes. We've had today very fruitful discussions, said Sierra Leone's Foreign Minister Timothy Musa Kabba. Both sides have expressed their different concerns. Joao Bernardo Vieira, the newly appointed foreign minister of Guinea-Bissau, said it was very clearly established that ECOWAS would not leave the country during this difficult period. The transitional authorities and the military will continue their discussions, he said."
ECOWAS sent a delegation led by Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio to mediate with Guinea-Bissau's coup leaders and press for full restoration of constitutional order. The military seized power three days after a closely contested presidential election in which both incumbent Umaro Sissoco Embalo and opposition Fernando Dias da Costa claimed victory; provisional results were not released. Embalo said he was deposed and arrested, and later fled to Brazzaville. Military officials appointed former army chief Horta Inta-A to lead a one-year transition and named a 28-member cabinet. The military banned demonstrations and strikes. Nigeria authorised protection for Dias da Costa.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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