By: Abdoulie John
Senegalese lawmaker and traditional healer Cheikh Barra Ndiaye has launched a blistering attack on Guinea-Bissau’s Umaro Sissoco Embaló, claiming the president staged Wednesday’s military coup to block his main rival, independent candidate Fernando “Da Costa” Dias, from taking power.
Speaking on the popular Walf TV programme late Thursday, Ndiaye alleged that Embaló personally reassured one of his “numerous side chicks” in Dakar by telephone as soldiers announced they had seized control of the country.
“On Wednesday, Embaló called one of his girlfriends here in Dakar and told her, word for word: ‘The situation is under control, don’t worry about me,'” Ndiaye declared, drawing laughter and gasps from the studio audience.
The outspoken parliamentarian insisted the coup had been “planned a long time ago” by Embaló to avoid handing over power after the 23 November presidential election, in which both the incumbent and challenger, Fernando Dias, claimed victory.
Ndiaye urged Senegalese authorities to refuse any request for political asylum from the besieged leader. “Out of the five countries he contacted for a golden exile, three have already turned him down, including Nigeria,” he claimed, without naming sources.
He further warned that “a good number of businessmen” are preparing lawsuits against Embaló for allegedly failing to honour financial commitments, suggesting the president may soon face legal as well as political troubles.
Embaló’s whereabouts remain unclear after the military announced he and senior officials were under arrest. Regional bodies ECOWAS and the African Union have condemned the takeover and demanded the restoration of constitutional order.
As speculation swirls over whether the president is detained, in hiding, or already seeking safe haven abroad, Ndiaye’s colourful allegations have added a sensational twist to an already chaotic crisis in the small West African nation.
