President Joao Bernardo Vieira and his rival, rebel leader General Ansumane Mane, have pledged never again to resort to arms, AFP reported. At a meeting in Lome yesterday, hosted by Togolese President Gnassingbe Eyadema, they discussed issues in an atmosphere of “brotherhood and mutual understanding”, a joint statement said. They later left for Bissau on board the same plane. AFP said Mane had reportedly been offered the post of defence minister in a new government of national unity.
Mane led an army mutiny last June after being sacked as armed forces chief, accused of arming Senegalese separatists. Fighting broke out again late last month. Senegalese and Guinean troops, who came in to support Vieira, are due to be withdrawn from Guinea Bissau.
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