EU to review Guinea Bissau aid over mutineer general

The European Union criticised Tuesday Guinea Bissau's selection of a former mutineer as the new head of the army and said it would review its aid to the country. EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton says General Antonio Indjai was one of the main people responsible for a mutiny in April.

Abdurahamane Turé

Ashton's office said the situation in Guinea Bissau "may constitute a violation of the engagements of the Guinea Bissau with respect to human rights, democracy and rule of law".

President Malam Bacai Sanha defended the appointment of Indjai, saying it was a sovereign decision.

In April, Guinea Bissau's Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior and army chief Vice Admiral Jose Zamora Induta were arrested in a coup d'etat . Ashton called on authorities to bring an end to the "unlawful detention" of the former military chief.

In March 2009, President Joao Bernardo Vieira was murdered by troops, allegedly in revenge for the murder hours earlier of armed forces chief, General Tagme Na Waie.