Global perspective Human stories

Annan calls on Guinea-Bissau prime minister to carry out presidential inauguration

Annan calls on Guinea-Bissau prime minister to carry out presidential inauguration

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, meeting Guinea-Bissau Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior after the recent elections in the West African country, today stressed the importance of keeping the Prime Minister's commitment to the General Assembly that the president-elect would be inaugurated next month.

The Supreme Court of Guinea-Bissau confirmed the results given by the National Electoral Commission that Joao Bernardo "Nino" Vieira had won the late July run-off elections against Malam Bacai Sanha of the ruling African Party for the Independence of Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC). Both men have ruled the country before.

"The Secretary-General impressed upon the Prime Minister the need to abide by his commitment made on 16 September before the 60th session of the General Assembly that the president-elect, Mr. Joao Bernardo Vieira, would be inaugurated on 1 October 2005," Mr. Annan's spokesman said.

The Secretary-General also stressed that the president-elect's inauguration would restore constitutional order fully and establish the proper conditions for receiving international assistance once more and, in particular, for convening a donors' round table.

The United Nations has been involved in Guinea-Bissau's efforts to restore constitutional order after a series of coups and mutinies have marked its 30 years of independence from Portugal.

The Round Table originally was scheduled for October, but is now due to take place in November.