On Sunday five soldiers were killed by suspected militants in a bomb attack in Yala, a neighbouring province.

BBC: Militants killed in southern Thailand attack

The three provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat once formed the heart of an independent Malay Muslim sultanate.

ECONOMIST: But at last the government is listening

The three southern provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat were annexed to Siam, as Thailand was then known, more than a century ago.

BBC: Militants killed in southern Thailand attack

Mane's death allowed the then-President of Guinea-Bissau, Koumba Yala, to align himself more closely with the Senegalese government and limit the military supplies.

BBC: Senegalese soldiers

Mr Yala is a former president who came second to Mr Gomes in last month's poll but said he would boycott the run-off, alleging fraud in the first round.

BBC: Guinea-Bissau junta agrees pact with some parties

"We firmly condemn the 12 April military uprising and demand the quick return of constitutional order, return of constitutional order, " Kumba Yala, the Social Renewal Party leader, was quoted as saying.

BBC: Guinea-Bissau junta agrees pact with some parties