'ECOWAS delegation visits Guinea Bissau despite border closure'

Lagos, Nigeria (PANA) - The high-level delegation dispatched by the ECOWAS Chairman, Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, to meet with the junta that seized power in Guinea Bissau, was able to enter the country on Monday despite the closure of sea and air borders announced by the putschists, PANA has learnt.

''Yes, the delegation has completed its assignment and it is now in Abidjan,'' the source told PANA Tuesday, erasing fears that the border closure might have been aimed at scuttling the mission.

Details of what transpired at the meeting between the junta and the delegation are yet unknown.

The delegation, led by ECOWAS Commission President Desire Kadre Ouedraogo, had been mandated to deliver a letter from the chairman reiterating the ECOWAS position that the putschists will be held responsible for the safety of the detained political office holders, and also to reaffirm the regional bloc's stand that it will not accept Thursday's military coup.

The mission was also aimed at impressing upon the soldiers who have seized power in the West African nation to restore constitutional rule without delay.

The coup, which effectively truncated the second round of the country's presidential election, that would have pit former President Kumba Yala against Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior 29 April, has attracted widespread condemnation from the international community.

On Tuesday, the African Union said it would not accept ongoing attempts to ''window-dress'' the coup, in an apparent reference to the plan by the soldiers to goad political parties to form a transitional government of national unity.

Since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974, Guinea Bissau has been beset by coups, counter-coups, assassinations and general instability.
-0- PANA SEG 16April2012