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G/Bissau: US solicits global sanctions against narco-traders
Friday, 16 July 2010 11:49
By Kemo ChamThe United States is drumming up support for global action against drug barons in the narco-infested West African nation of Guinea Bissau and the rest of the West Africa sub region.
A US diplomat Thursday called on member countries of the United Nations to follow in Washington’s footsteps in sanctioning powerful drug barons in the west African region.
"We have to hold accountable those who attempt to profit from narco-trafficking in countries where the drugs are produced, transported and consumed," the US delegate to the UN, Brooke Anderson, told reporters at the end of a Security Council meeting on the situation in Guinea-Bissau.
Last April, the US froze the assets of two top Guinea-Bissau military officers - former navy chief Jose Americo Bubo Na Tchuto, a close ally of the controversial military chief, and former air force chief of staff Ibraima Papa Camara. They were designated as major drug kingpins by the US Treasury Department.
Guinea Bissau’s inability to fight off the increasingly powerful drug lords is compounded by broken security infrastructure, thanks to years of instability. The involvement of the highly corrupt and undisciplined senior security officers adds to the problem and put the civilian government at constant risk.
Brooke Anderson said that the US would continue to target through sanctions other individuals who are facilitating the narcotics trade in the region. She described the situation as a "clear and present threat to the stability and security" of the whole region.
But she warned that "The US efforts alone are not enough and we call on all nations to join this effort and to launch similar sanctions against narco-traffickers."
Sanctuary for Bubu Na Tchuto
Rear Admiral Bubu Na Tchuto’s presence in Guinea Bissau remains a great concern for the international community. He fled and sought sanctuary in Gambia after been accused of attempting to overthrow the government of slain former President Nino Vieira.
Na Tchuto later returned to Guinea-Bissau in some unclear circumstances and sought refuge at the United Nations compound in Bissau. His influence over the present government became clear when a military court in Bissau announced last month that it was dropping treason charges against him for his alleged role in the 2008 coup.
The US diplomat expressed concern that Na Tchuto, a notorious drug baron, had been given refuge in the UN compound in the first place.
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Comments
We call on the international community to widen the search to answers to curb drug peddles in our sub-region. The billion Dollar cocaine haul uncovered in Gambia & the container intercepted at port of Mauritania alleged addressed to Gambia Agric Ministry testifies drugs’ not problem in Guinea Bissau but over the whole sub-region. Na Tchuto was friends & resident in Gambia under yaya’s courtesy. He travelled back at will with fore knowledge of the current political unfolding in Bissau; for he won’t have risked to without assurance. A case of 'Tell me your friend, I tell who you are.’
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