Relations between govt and international partners strained since 26 June nomination of 1 Apr mutiny chief General Indjai as army chief of staff: ECOWAS 3 July condemned appointment; EU 5 July announced reassessment of support and end of SSR mission for Nov 2010; U.S. withdrew offer to support SSR. U.S. 15 July called for global sanctions against former navy chiefs Na Tchuto and Papa Camara for alleged involvement in drug trafficking. UNSC 22 July urged govt to free or try suspects in Apr mutiny and bring military under civilian control, voiced concern over rise in drug trafficking.

PM Gomes 16 June denied rumours of imminent resignation, said govt will remain until end of mandate. SRSG Mutaboba 23 June urged govt to show commitment to SSR. President Sanha 25 June appointed Apr 2010 mutiny leader Gen Antonio Indjai as new head of army; decision criticised by U.S.. Sanha 1 June also claimed several high-ranking officials involved in March 2009 double assassination of former President Vieira and army chief Waié.

ECOWAS fact-finding mission 5 May examined circumstances of PM Gomes’ detention during 1 Apr coup attempt. Former head of navy José Americo Bubo Na Tchuto trial started 13 May; accused of complicity in 2008 coup attempt and drug trafficking. Charges dropped 31 May.

Situation appeared to stabilise after group of soldiers led by deputy army chief Antonio Ndjai 1 Apr briefly detained PM Gomes, arrested army chief Zamora Induta and 40 military officers, and brought former navy chief Bubo Na Tchuto (suspected leader of 2008 failed coup attempt) back into military ranks. President Sanha 1 Apr said situation “calm”, events caused by “confusion between soldiers”. After 2 Apr talks with Sanha, Gomes said he would continue in post. ECOWAS 2 Apr expressed concern but stopped short of describing incident as a “coup”. Joint ECOWAS, EU, UN mission arrived 4 Apr for talks with Sanha, Gomes and Ndjai; called for security sector reform. Reports Induta seriously ill in custody. U.S. 9 Apr imposed sanctions on Na Tchuto and air force head Ibraima Papa Camara for alleged involvement in narcotics trafficking.

As CrisisWatch went to press, group of soldiers 1 Apr detained PM Gomes and territories minister Sanca, freed navy chief Bubo Na Tchuto – suspected leader of 2008 failed coup attempt – from refuge in UN compound, and arrested current army chief Zamora Induta and 40 military officers. Gomes reportedly released hours later following protests calling for his reinstatement outside his Bissau office. Subsequent reports Gomes remained under house arrest. Army chief deputy Antonio Ndjai in 1 Apr press conference threatened to kill Gomes if people launched further rallies to support him. President Sanha unaffected. UNSG Ban 5 March issued report on UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office for G-B UNIOGBIS, urging rapid SSR, internal political cooperation to facilitate reforms and sustained donor support.

Former navy chief Bubo Na Tchuto, accused of involvement in March 2009 military killings, returned from Gambia 28 Dec, taking refuge in UN office; authorities demand UN hand him over.

President Malam Bacai Sanha inaugurated 8 Sept following July election, pledging to “shed light” on March killings and tackle corruption, drug trafficking. Chinese Assistant FM Zhai Jun in 23 Sept visit announced $8.9m technical and aid package as part of new cooperation deal.

Attorney General, investigating deaths of army chief and president Dec 2008 and military’s allegation of attempted coup in July, disclosed he is receiving regular death threats. Army Chief of Staff 6 Aug announced G-B would go forward with security sector reform drive next year, following last month’s presidential elections; reform will see army decrease from approximately 10,000 to 3,400.

Former heads of state Malam Bacai Sanha (ruling PAIGC) and Kumba Yala (opposition PRS) went to polls 26 July in 2nd-round presidential run-off after winning 39.6% and 29.4% of vote respectively in 28 June vote. Electoral commission 29 July announced Sanha’s victory, with over 63% of vote; Yala accepted outcome. EU monitors announced 28 June poll “free and fair”; both votes conducted without incident and with reported 60% turnout. Analysts stress considerable reform challenges facing new president.