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On 12 April soldiers deposed the government in Guinea-Bissau, marking another coup in a country in which no leader since independence has completed a full term. Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Júnior, widely expected to win the presidential run-off election scheduled for 29 April, and interim President Raimundo Pereira were detained by the military junta for two weeks, before their release to Côte d’Ivoire. The coup was swiftly condemned by the international community, with ECOWAS imposing sanctions and threatening force to restore civilian rule.

Middle East Report N°120

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

(Extract)

From the President

As we reflect on a year that has seen the creation of a new country, repressive regimes toppled, and the hope of rights reclaimed, it is clear that the work of the International Crisis Group in preventing and resolving deadly conflict remains as relevant as ever. Throughout 2011, Crisis Group provided timely analysis of such developments among many others, highlighting the costs of both action and inaction, and advocating political initiatives likely to lead to a peaceful, lasting resolution of acute crises.

Jakarta/Brussels, 11 April 2012: With Myanmar embarked on a remarkable top-down transition from five decades of authoritarian rule and extensive reforms already in place, it is time for the international community to help it address the remaining complex and numerous challenges by ending sanctions and looking to cooperation rather than coercion to promote further change.

In Mali military officers overthrew President Amadou Toumani Touré in a coup on 22 March. The takeover followed a mutiny demanding better weapons to fight the Tuareg rebellion advancing across the north. Throughout the month Tuareg rebels defeated government troops and pro-government militias in several northern towns, extending their reach to the key garrison town of Gao and reportedly Timbuktu.