UN Security Council appeals for urgent help for Guinea-Bissau

The United Nations Security Council today renewed its appeal for urgent assistance to Guinea-Bissau as the transitional government of the West African country prepares for March elections amid a stagnant economy.

"Members of the Security Council welcomed the positive steps taken recently by the new authorities, especially the announcement by the President [Henrique Perreira Rosa] of 28 March 2004 - after his visit to the Security Council - as the date for the parliamentary elections," said Bulgarian Ambassador Stefan Tafrov, who holds the council's rotating presidency for December.

"Members of the Council expressed their concern about the critical economic and social situation of the country and renewed their appeal to the international community to provide urgent assistance to Guinea-Bissau."

The Council welcomed the aid given by some countries and organizations, including contributions to the Emergency Economic Management Fund established by the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

The post-conflict, elected Government of President Kumba Yala failed to pay salaries for about a year, leading to waves of strikes by teachers, health care workers and other government employees. The strikes brought a military junta to power in a bloodless coup in mid-September, but it has pledged to hold elections.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has said its school-feeding programme was impeded by the teachers' strikes in most public schools and the country has been trying to grapple with acute shortages of safe drinking water and electricity. Meanwhile, the delivery of social and health services has been limited by economic stagnation.

David Stephen, Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Peace-Building Support Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNOGBIS) briefed the Council in a closed-door meeting earlier today on the transition process.