afrol News, 5 June - Mass killings of political figures are feared in Guinea-Bissau as security forces reportedly went on a rampage to arrest people painted as coup plotters.

At least four people have been confirmed killed, including two senior politicians. The former prime minister Faustino Fudut Imbali is also reported to have been taken by security forces and there are fears that he could have also been killed.

Reports have pointed out that Baciro Dabo, a minister and a candidate in this month's presidential elections, was killed at his home, while the former Defence Minister Helder Proenca was also reportedly killed with two of his guards.

Several other political figures have also been reportedly detained or taken for questioning, in a crack down that has been seen as yet another possible delay to return to democratic rule.

The Guinea-Bissau military junta has claimed that coup plotters were also targeting to eliminate the head of goverment and of the armed forces.

Guinea-Bissau administration fell under the boots of the military following the bloody killing of President Joao Bernardo Vieira by soldiers who accused him of being invloved in the bomb killing of the army chief of staff in March this year.

Since the coup in March the military in the country has been criticised of unilateral arrests and detention of civilians in violation of the national laws as well as Guinea-Bissau’s international human rights obligations.

Guinea-Bissau which has become a hub for drug trafficking syndicates is a highly volatile country, with a long history of coups and military rebellions.

Since 2000, soldiers have killed three chiefs of staff of the armed forces, as well as other high ranking military officers. Those responsible for the killings were never brought to justice, according to international rights organisations.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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