I have set up two more blogs.
The first is dedicated to events in Africa. It’s called
The second is concerned with discussions about business and strategic management topics. It’s called
Don’t forget to pay either or both of them a visit.
… the answer is no one knows – yet!
But let’s see what we do know. Relations between president Nina Vieira, and army chief-of-staff Batista Tigme Na Wai have been strained for a long time. The reasons may be personal, but then there may have been suspicion on the part of one or other of the actors of collusion with drug traffickers who’ve been using the impoverished nation as an entrepot between Latin America and Europe. Even though Vieira was an army man himself and came to power in a coup in 1980, there’s never been too much love lost between him and his top soldiers.
So, early in the morning of March 1st a bomb goes off at army headquarters, killing General Tigme Na Wai. Some of his officers smell a rat and drive to the president’s private residence with a rocket, which they fire at the house after polite knocking failed to raise the occupants. They go in and challenge the president as to whether he had anything to do with General Tigme na Wai’s death. Here details become a bit sketchy. According to one account Vieira said something like “It’s a fair cop, it wus me wot did it!” whereupon he’s shot by the soldiers and his body was taken away.
Has a military coup taken place? Who’s in charge? The radio station’s off the air, apparently under military control and the people are scared. Schools are closed, as are most shops, and it seems Bissau’s residents want to sit out the crisis. They’re afraid of getting caught in the cross-fire if a shooting war breaks out among sections of the armed forces.
This present turn of events is shocking in its violence, but then institutions are so weak in the country that anyone with a gun – whether loaded or not – can cause a lot of mayhem. Vieira may well be the “democratically elected” head of state, but he’s far from popular. A coup against his rule has been anticipated for years. Still pity the poor people.
For the third week running the footpaths near my home is blocked by road-works, ostensibly being carried out by Cavan County Council. My complaints may seem trite, but when you’re in a wheel-chair you like to be able to get around as freely as possibloe. These roadworks are something else, because, apart from digging up the path where they are taking place, they are announced way ahead by signs which are stuck right in the middle of the footpath, forcing me and anyone else who is not mobile, to go out on toi the road, into the teth of the on-coming traffic.
Of course, the council wouldn’t have the courtesy to even make an apology – an apology? To who? the general public? ! Everyone knows how solicitous Cavan County Council is for the well-being of the disabled – appointing access consultants from Scotland to produce reports on information supplied for free by local disabled people who were supposed to shadow them, or the inclusive way in which County Council institutions slight local experts who just happen to be disabled in favour of people who are brought in from outside at far greater expense.
I could make representations about these roadworks to Cavan County Council’s Access Officerr, as I have done in the past, and I am assured that they would be dealt with effectively and courteously. But why should I be the one that always complains? It affects more than me. What”s more I’m partially sighted, unlike the majority of people, who must see what’s going on and be aware of the problems being caused.
Ah but Ciaran. Don’t you remember- You’ll need Cavan County Council before they’ll ever need you – there is no emoticon which shows a human face with its tongue stuck out!
I hope lots of people saw my book revieew of Pat Devaney’s lovely novel Una Bha in the Anglo Celt. The work of people like Pat has to be treasured and celebrated.
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The advent of Spring is a reminder to all of us to get out into our gardens and do som work. On Sunday march 1st we paid a visit to one of our old haunts, the Tullyvin Gsrden Centre near Cootehill. This is a great place for plants, seeds, equipment, furniture, but most especially advice from Niall and Roslyn who will be only delighted to place their know-how at your disposal.
So why not pay them a visit?
