Guinea Bissau: Frying pans, Fires.. Where Next?

It seems quite paradoxical - we've got so used to the phrase "From the frying pan into the fire"! The situation in Guinea Bissau is beyond the fire now!! I had blogged a couple of years ago on Sanctions : Called it "A Death sentence for the dead" - that was when Obama continued the Bush governments policy of excluding Cuba.. (http://dustbin-by-ram.blogspot.com/2009/03/sanctions-death-sentences-on-dead.html). Now, far closer home, after the failure of talks between the Military Junta from Guinea Bissau and the Ecowas Head of States task force on Mali and Bissau, we hear that sanctions are likely to be imposed on Guinea Bissau. While if this means sanctions on the running Junta alone, it would be a welcome means of trying to resolve the political situation in Bissau. But Sanctions on the Country and it's people, and I'd probably disagree. The people of Guinea Bissau have not imposed the Junta over the seemingly elected government. They probably did not have an option either to elect their government - am not suggesting that the election was rigged, but if you know the history of Guinea Bissau, little has changed for the common person since the last 40 odd years. People survive irrespective of governments. And it is not an impoverished depressing survival. Music, Drink, dance, sex and discussions on fin de semanas (weekends - have a special role in Bissau Life) - have not changed. Though in the last two years there was seemingly some drive towards development - re-structuring of its main road, improvement of the electricity situation ( thanks to a benevolent gesture from the late Ghadaffi), little else changed in Bissau. And virtually nothing changed in rural Bissau.
How would one tackle the current situation then?

Are Sanctions a workable option?

I would suggest the extension of dialogue with the Junta. Firstly because the Chief of the Army who is calling the shots was there as the Chief of the Army under the elected government. Many would suggest that this is ridiculuous as they have not been able to reach an agreement with the Head of States of Ecowas in the discussions of the last few days. But if you delve deep into the Bissau military psyche, it needs a paradigm shift in the thought process - and this can and will take time. If we try to impose our point of view, we're immediately alienating the Army and it's faithful Guerilla In-doctrined majority of Balantas. The Balantas as I know them are a people that rally behind their leaders, irrespective of social or political leaning. Despite the fact that they have led a life that carrys very little trait of development ( as we know it) they seem content. I constantly suggest that they have achieved Nirvana at a very basic level. The Buddha suggested that the end of want or desire, was in itself the Begining of self tranquility or peace. The Balantas of Bissau would qualify quite easily in Buddhist doctrine.
On a more serious note, a Military solution or invasion, would probably resolve some short term dis-obedience issues very easily, but would create a greater divide within Bissau. It would more importantly disrupt the already disrupted lives of Bissau Guineas people. And more importantly, remember the Cashew season is on , and this is the 4-5 month period when a majority of Bissaus population are able to earn their annual livelihood. Cashew is the sole earner for a large part of Bissaus population. Disruption or instability dring the cashew season is like declaring Tea harvesting illegal in Darjeeling during the plucking season!!

But then what did the democratically elected government do last season. They imposed a 50 CFA(100USD)  draconian development tax over and above a 120 USD Tax already existing on the Cashew trade. The earlier tax went to pay Goverment salaries effectively reducing the farmer earnings. This new tax, ownership already in doubt, about 17 Million USD lying unused for over a year (if it hasn't been plundered or whisked away), has squeezed the earnings of the Bissau Guinean farmer even further. A farmer in Senegal , Ziguinchor today earns 300-400 CFA for his produce, while just a few kilometres across, the Bissau Guinean farmer earns 250 CFA since two heavy taxes that sustain the government. ...

A farmer virtually sustaining the government rather than the other way around.

The point I'm making here is that the ECOwas mediation should insist on engaging and remaining within Bissau to support its people rather than going after the Junta. The head of the Army was there within a democratically elected structure. We did nothing then to limit his authority. Now we must Engage positively rather than disengage. It will not be easy. But deadlines will probably not work. The next few days will see what future Bissau has... Where will they head.. They're already in the fire. Perhaps a good time to coin a new phrase..
From the frying pan into the fire? From the fire, where?
Any suggestions?