Guinea Bissau General Jose Zamora Induta, who was head of the West African state's armed forces until he was ousted in a 2010 mutiny, is seeking refuge at the European Union compound in the capital, an EU official said on Thursday.
Induta arrived at the compound days after the country's former military spy chief Samba Diallo was shot dead by unknown gunmen on the day of a presidential election, prompting fears of further political assassinations. "When you go to an embassy to stay, it is an indication that you are feeling threatened," EU spokesman Piero Valabrega said by telephone, confirming Induta was at the compound. He declined to give further details.
Security guards blocked the road leading to the EU compound, a Reuters witness said. Guinea Bissau has a long history of coups and assassinations since independence from Portugal in 1974. Its weak policing and tortuous coastline of mangrove-lined islands has made it a haven for drug smugglers. Induta and Diallo were among the military officials temporarily jailed in April 2010 after an army mutiny, believed to be over control of the drugs trade, deposed them.
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