President of Guinea-Bissau gives in to long time battle with Illness

Mallam Bacai Sanha, President of Guinea Bissau has died in a hotel in Paris where he was receiving treatment for an ailment rumored to be diabetes. The president of the West African country’s death was announced by his office over national radio.

Sanha suffered from ill-health since being elected in 2009. His election was hoped to bring stability in a nation suffering from endemic corruption, and drugs trafficking.

Guinea Bissaus political system is plagued by coups, and corruption. In 2009, Mr. Sanha’s predecessor, Joao Bernardo Vieira, was assassinated paving way for his emergence as President.

It is expected that Raimundo Pereira, speaker of Parliament, would be sworn in as the acting President until an electoral process is defined.

Various political and military groups are expected to dialogue soon in a reconciliation conference, however the absence of the President had postponed it, and now his death will postpone it further.

International observers are keenly paying attention to events in the nation state in order to ascertain if the country is ready to toe the path of sustainable democracy.

One Comment

1. 

   Bukolaafolayan

   January 10, 2012 at 1:24 am

   rest in peace