Gambian Authorities Detain Alleged Guinea Bissau Coup Plotter

The government of The Gambia on Tuesday announced the arrest in the Gambia of Rear Admiral Jose Americo Bubu Na Tchuto, the alleged leader of the coup plot foiled in Guinea Bissau on 6th August, according to a press statement issued in Banjul by the office of the President.

Admiral Na Tchuto, who arrived in Banjul by sea late on Monday, was said to have been immediately arrested by personnel of the Gambian Navy, together with his bodyguard.

Admiral Na Tchuto, who was the former head of the Guinea Bissau Navy, was implicated in a coup plot last week. He is awaiting extradition to Guinea Bissau to face prosecution, according to the statement.

The statement indicated that the government of The Gambia “would not harbor agents of saboteurs and coupists.” It went on to reaffirm The Gambia’s commitment to maintaining sub-regional peace, and reassuring the general public that the situation was under control.

The authorities in Guinea Bissau recently signed a peace deal with The Gambian government, with the view of handing over dissidents bent on undermining democracy on the continent. President Yahya Jammeh is on record for having said that Guinea-Bissau dissidents would not be harbored in The Gambia and warning against any external aggression by disgruntled dissidents.

The Guinea-Bissau government said Admiral Na Tchuto was being held under house arrest in Bissau prior to his escape to The Gambia. The two governments are said to be discussing modalities to facilitate the immediate extradition of the suspect.

Source African Press Agency

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