Another sad lesson in how to self-destruct. Whoever said we learn from
history...


Government troops in Guinea-Bissau are reported to have shot and killed the
fugitive coup leader, General Ansumane Mane, in a gun battle north-west of
the capital.
Portuguese state television, RTP, showed footage of what it said was the
body of the former army general, who defied the government earlier this
month by declaring himself head of the armed forces.
Eight of General Mane's followers are reported to have been killed.
Reporting from the capital Bissau, a Portuguese TV correspondent said
General Mane was shot in the neck in a clash with loyalist troops near the
town of Quinhamel, 30km (20 miles) north of the city.
General Mane had fled the capital with a few followers a week ago after his
abortive attempt at a military revolt in the former Portuguese colony. Many
of his followers deserted when government forces attacked them at an airbase
north of Bissau.
The TV correspondent said the latest clash was triggered by the capture of
General Mane's security officer, who was brought to Bissau on Thursday.
"Then the manhunt that had been going on since last week was stepped up in
the area of Quinhamel, where it turns out he had been all this time."
The correspondent said General Mane and his entourage, including some
officers, were surrounded by an army unit about 50-strong.
"There was shooting for about two minutes, and then silence. The operation
was over," he added.
"Ten minutes later they brought out Ansumane Mane's body... to the great
jubilation of the local people, who, like former President Nino Vieira are
members of the Pepel ethnic group." General Mane himself belonged to the
Mandinga Muslim tribe.
"As far as I know Mane made no attempt to surrender. He died in action," the
correspondent said.
General Mane unilaterally declared himself head of the armed forces when
President Kumba Yala announced a number of senior military appointments of
which Mr Mane disapproved.
General Mane maintained that the appointments were ethnically based and
risked destabilising the country.
More than 200 people, including politicians and members of parliament, were
arrested after the fighting between government troops and those loyal to
General Mane.



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