Following the double assassination of the Guinea Bassau president and army chief of staff, the government of The Gambia, aware of the fact that peace constitutes the engine of development, has roundly condemned the sad developments that have taken place in the former Portuguese colony.

Below we reproduce the full text of a press release issued by the government:  
The government of The Gambia is deeply concerned by last Monday’s incident in Guinea Bissau. This happened just at a time when a new government is trying to settle down and tackle the situation in Guinea Bissau. The tragic death of the army chief of staff and the president is unacceptable and could have been avoided.

The Gambia government condemns these killings in the strongest possible terms. The Gambia and other friends of Guinea Bissau will work with ECOWAS, the AU, and the international community to put a definitive end to the vicious circle of violence in Guinea Bissau.

Monday night’s events in Bissau could undermine the serious efforts that are being made for national reconciliation. The tragic loss of these two patriotic Guineans and African freedom fighters is a blow not only to Guinea Bissau but to the African continent as a whole. The Gambia government urges the people of Guinea Bissau to forget the bitter past, reconcile and look forward to a brighter and more prosperous future for all Bissau Guineans.

The government and people of The Gambia hereby convey our deep condolences and sympathy to the government and people of Guinea Bissau in general and the bereaved families in particular. The Gambia will spare no efforts in ensuring peace and stability in Guinea Bissau in the interest of sub-regional peace and socio-economic development.