UN threatens arms embargo, financial sanctions against Bissau
The UN Security Council has threatened to impose an arms embargo and financial sanctions on Guinea Bissau, if the military junta fails to return the country to civilian rule, as ECOWAS begins deploying troops to stabilize the situation.
The council made the threat as it on Friday imposed a travel ban on five leaders of April’s coup in Bissau.
ECOWAS, which is currently chaired by Ivory Coast President Alhassane Ouattar, has begun deploying troops in Bissau. They are part of a 600-strong sub-regional force due to be in place in the West African nation over the next couple of days.
The resolution also demands immediate steps to restore democracy and ensure soldiers return to their barracks.
The Security Council has expressed concern about reports of looting and human rights abuses by the military and about the possible increase in drug trafficking due to the coup in Guinea Bissau.
The sub-regional bloc, ECOWAS and the European Union had earlier imposed sanctions.
At the same time, ECOWAS has begun deploying troops in Guinea Bissau to keep watch over a one-year transition to civilian rule.
Tweet
