Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


    January 09, 2012

Guinea-Bissau President Sanha Dies in Paris

   VOA News
   Malam Bacai Sanha, President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau,
   addresses the United Nations General Assembly at the U.N. headquarters,
   in New York, September 2010. (file photo)
   Photo: Reuters
   Malam Bacai Sanha, President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau,
   addresses the United Nations General Assembly at the U.N. headquarters,
   in New York, September 2010. (file photo)

   State media in the West African nation of Guinea-Bissau say President
   Malam Bacai Sanha has died.
   The report Monday said Sanha died in a Paris hospital, where he was
   admitted last month.
   No cause of death was given, but the 64-year-old leader had been
   hospitalized repeatedly in France and Senegal since being elected in
   2009. He was known to have diabetes, as well as trouble with hemoglobin
   levels in his blood.
   His death adds to worries about stability in Guinea-Bissau, which has a
   history of unrest.
   Late last month, dozens of military personnel were arrested for
   involvement in a suspected coup attempt. Those arrested include the
   country's navy chief, Bubo Na Tchuto, who is accused of masterminding
   the plot.
   Sanha was elected to replace President Joao Bernardo Vieria, who was
   killed by mutinous soldiers in March 2009.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.

.