No immediate cause was given, but the 64-year-old president was known to have diabetes and had undergone medical treatment in both France and neighboring Senegal during his time in office. National radio announced his death Monday afternoon.
The head of the National Assembly, Raimundo Pereira, is again expected to take over until new elections can be organized. He already had served as interim head of state after the 2009 assassination of former President Joao Bernardo “Nino” Vieira.
Since independence from Portugal in 1974, the nation has been wracked by coups and has become one of the main transit points for drug traffickers ferrying cocaine to Europe. Just two weeks ago, the army said a top military official had attempted unsuccessfully to seize power while Mr. Sanha was ill.
Mr. Sanha won the 2009 presidential election held after Vieira’s death, a peaceful transition of power that marked a rare bright spot for Guinea-Bissau. He became less known for what he did as president than for his frequent hospitalizations abroad, which were always described by aides as routine checkups.
United States remains a longstanding friend of the Bissau-Guinean people, and we will continue to support their aspirations for peace, stability, and prosperity.
We are pleased that the government of Guinea-Bissau and its military recently worked well together in addressing an internal threat to democratic governance. We look forward to collaborating with the international community and working with Acting-President Pereira to arrange timely elections.
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