AFRICAN WEEKLY NOTES PORTUGUESE GUINEA: REBEL GOVERNMENT

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06954143
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: July 13, 2023
• Document Release Date: November 7, 2022
• Case Number: F-2018-01460
• Publication Date: May 4, 1973

pproved for Release: 2022/09/21 C06954143
African Weekly Notes
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4 May 1973
SC No. 00907/73
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African Weekly Notes
This publication has been prepared by the African branches of the Middle
East - Africa Division of the Office of Current Intelligence and coordinated
with other components within the Directorate of Intelligence. Comments
and queries are welcome. They should be directed to the authors of the
individual articles.
CONTENTS
4 May 1973
Portuguese Guinea: Rebel Government 3
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Portuguese Guinea
The rebel movement in Portuguese Guinea will
declare independence for Portuguese Guinea "very
soon," according to Victor Mania, a member of the
movement's executive committee. Mania's statement,
made during a recent press interview in Addis Ababa,
raised new speculation that the long-promised declara-
tion might coincide with the OAU summit meeting in
late May.
Mania's "very soon" suggests an imminence that
has not been voiced by more important leaders of.the
movement. Since Amilcar Cabral's assassination in
January, most leaders have indicated only that a
declaration would came sometime this year. Luiz
Cabral, the slain leader's brother, said in February,
"The proclamation will not be made for at least Six
months." He told a Lagos interviewer on 1 April that
rebel plans to declare an independent state "were
ruined by the assassination."
No major obstacle to an early declaration is
evident. The movement has recently been given a
boost by its success in downing five Portuguese
military aircraft and may launch a military initia-
tive just prior to the OAU summit_ The leadership
appears to be stabilizing, and international support
has not weakened significantly.
When a new state is announced, it will be rec-
ognized by almost all OAU members and Communist
governments. In Western Europe, the Scandinavian
countries and the Netherlands have officially given
significant political and humanitarian aid, but
political recognition will not necessarily follcow,
4 May 1973
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Approved for Release: 2022/09/21 C06954143
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Approved for Release: 2022/09/21 C06954143