Annan calls on all parties in Guinea-Bissau to refrain from exacerbating tensions

Reacting to recent statements which “appear designed to disrupt the ongoing transitional process in Guinea-Bissau,” United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today called for all concerned there to resist any moves that could exacerbate tensions in the small West African country.

Guinea-Bissau is currently working to organize presidential elections scheduled for 19 June as part of a shift designed to restore constitutional governance.

In a statement released in New York by his spokesman, the Secretary-General called on “all segments of Bissau Guinean society, in particular political leaders, to desist from any actions or statements that could undermine peaceful and orderly electoral and transitional processes, or otherwise exacerbate tensions in the country.”