Dear editor,I would like to join the rest of the world in condemning the recent coup in Mauritania. The coup plotters are making life of the people more difficult. For example, the international community has suspended all non-humanitarian aid to the country. The African Union (AU) is also set to suspend Mauritania’s membership of the group following a coup, which overthrew the democratically elected president. Unfortunately, all these decisions work against the people of Mauritania and not the soldiers who took over power. Nevertheless, what is haunting the country is its history; Mr Abdallahi himself became Mauritania’s first democratically elected leader in 2007 after a coup two years earlier, also instigated by Gen Abdelaziz. When we were still watching the aftermath of the coup in Mauritania, another one was in the making in Guinea Bissau. Guinea Bissau says it has foiled an attempt by the head of the country’s navy to overthrow President Joao Bernardo Vieira. An army spokesperson said Rear Admiral Americo Bubo Na Tchuto was arrested after telephoning senior officers to ask for help in ousting Mr. Vieira. African leaders should desist from coups because they only exacerbate political turmoil in their respective countries. Dialogue and the principle based on mutual agreement and disagreement should be the norm if we are to see any development on the continent. Byumba
