Figure.

Area surrounding Bissau, 1998: during the war major battles occurred along the road to the airport (the only road to the interior of Guinea-Bissau). Government and foreign troops had heavy artillery positions in the centre of the city, whereas rebel artillery was placed around the airport and at Cumuré, south of Nhacra. Cars could only leave towards mission station in Cumura and the village of Prabis, two areas with major concentrations of refugees in Bissau. Exit from Prabis area was only possible by canoe to Bijagos islands or by crossing the river to Quinhamel