OWN CORRESPONDENT, Dakar | Monday 8.30PM.
GOVERNMENT and rebel soldiers in Guinea-Bissau on Monday signed an accord aboard a Portuguese warship anchored in the port of Bissau to observe an immediate ceasefire.
The ceasefire agreement is the result of mediation by six fellow Portuguese-speaking countries. The accord calls for formal negotiations to start within eight days, and also agrees to the distribution of aid to civilians in the strife-torn country.
The ceasefire comes after nearly two months of civil war between forces loyal to Guinea Bissau’s President, Joao Vieira, and rebelling soldiers. The fighting broke out when Vieira sacked army chief General Ansumane Mane for allegedly supplying weapons to rebels in Senegal.
Thousands of people have been killed in the bloody feud which has seen about 250000 people fleeing their homes.