Bissau-Sana
Today, Guinea-Bissau witnessed heavy shooting near the Government Palace in the capital, Bissau, coinciding with a meeting attended by President Omar Sissoko Embalo and members of the government.
The Associated Press reported that gunmen surrounded the government headquarters and fired heavy gunfire, causing extensive damage to the building.
In turn, the Economic Community of West African States "ECOWAS" condemned the attack in Guinea-Bissau, holding the army responsible for maintaining the safety of President Embalo and the detained officials, noting that it is following with great concern the developments of the situation in that country.
"The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by reports of heavy fighting in Guinea-Bissau and demands an immediate cessation of hostilities and full respect for the country's democratic institutions," Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq of the UN Secretary-General said in a statement.
Guinea-Bissau, with a turbulent political history, has suffered several military coups since it gained independence in 1964, the last of which was in 2012.