US president goes missing in Africa

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BISSAU, Aug 16 (AFP): A bronze statue of Ulysses Grant has gone missing in the west African nation of Guinea Bissau with police on the lookout for the likeness of 18th US president and Civil War hero.
"I don't know when the statue was taken but it must have been a while ago ... well before I took up my functions in this town," said Braca de Pina, who began serving as governor of the island of Bolama four months ago.
The statue was erected in the 19th century by the Portuguese to thank Grant for his support for Portugal's claim to the island.
It was moved to the courtyard of the governor's mansion in the town of Bolama after Guinea Bissau gained independence in 1974 as officials removed symbols of colonialism.
"It is a very worrying situation as the statue is an object of historical value. It was the pride of our town which was the first capital of Guinea Bissau," Pina told AFP in a telephone interview.