Lonely Planet-Scoop

travel news review

24 May '99
A military takeover in Guinea-Bissau has led to the dismissal of the president, Joao Bernardo Vieira, who is now in hiding at the Portuguese Embassy. The coup is the latest drama tearing at Guinea-Bissau's political fabric. Take heed from the travel advisories cautioning travellers not to travel there.

15 February '99
After 25 years working on a programme for the eradication of onchocerciasis, or river blindness, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has much to celebrate with the announcement this week that the disease has been eradicated in West Africa.

The disease, transmitted by the black fly, which leaves parasites in the body, can eventually cause blindness and was a serious health concern in many West African countries. As the black fly was most commonly found along riverbanks, many fled these most fertile parts of the country causing major economic problems. The disease is still found in parts of sub-Saharan Africa and Yemen.

28 July '98
A cease-fire agreement has been signed in Guinea-Bissau, ending almost two months of civil war in the west African country. The agreement, arranged by the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries, was signed by forces loyal to the President João Bernardo Vieira and rebel troops backing General Ansumane Mane on board a Portuguese frigate off the coast of Guinea-Bissau on Sunday. The agreement kicks off negotiations between the two forces and allows international peace-keeping troops into the country.

22 June '98
The Department of State has issued a warning against travel to Guinea-Bissau, and advises travellers and residents in Guinea-Bissau to depart immediately if they can safely do so. Tensions within Guinea-Bissau continue due to outbreaks of armed conflict. The U.S. Embassy has temporarily suspended operations and all official Americans have departed Guinea-Bissau as of June 14. As more than 300,000 residents of the capital, Bissau, have fled the city for areas to the north of the country, where there is little food, water or medical supplies, UN officials fear Guinea-Bissau may be facing a famine. The Guinea-Bissau - Senegal border remains closed.

15 June '98
Fighting between rebel soldiers and government troops in the west African country of Guinea- Bissau escalated over the weekend. Fighting during the past week in the capital Bissau has damaged many city buildings, including the US and Swedish embassies and closed the international airport for more than a week. Many foreigners have left the country by boat, fleeing to neighbouring Senegal. The American Embassy has closed in Bissau but the British Embassy remains operational. The rebel soldiers attempted a coup last week and have remained trapped in the city, fighting it out with government troops.