Asesinan al presidente de Guinea-Bissau

President of Guinea-Bissau is killed

Joao Bernardo Vieira fue asesinado en la residencia presidencial.

The president of Guinea Bissau, Nino Vieira, has been killed by the military. His residence came under attack hours after the head of the armed forces was killed.

Reporter: Will Ross

 Listen to the story

A military spokesman told the French news agency that President Nino Vieira was killed by the army as he tried to flee his house. There was heavy gunfire around the presidential palace during the night. A few hours earlier the head of the armed forces, General Tagme Na Waie was killed when a bomb exploded in the military headquarters.

The army spokesman suggested that the president had been behind the death of General Tagme Na Waie, and that is why he was then killed. There is however, no further confirmation of his death.

Guinea Bissau has a history of coups and unrest. Last November, President Vieira narrowly escaped when soldiers attacked his house and in January the head of the armed forces also survived what appeared to be an attempt on his life.

Guinea Bissau's fragility is down to the fact that its presidents have all been propped up by the military. President Vieira has been in power twice, he was ousted in 1999 after he had sacked the army commander.

Will Ross, BBC News, Accra

 Listen to the words

to flee
escapar

presidential palace
palacio presidencial

military headquarters
cuartel militar

had been behind
había sido responsable ante (la muerte del general)

no further confirmation
no hay confirmación

narrowly escaped
apenas se escapó

an attempt on his life
un atentado contra su vida

fragility
fragilidad

propped up by
sostenido por

ousted
expulsado

Read more stories