Ban Ki-moon welcomes end to political dispute in Guinea-Bissau

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the end to a political dispute in Guinea-Bissau after a former leader reportedly left United Nations offices where he had been seeking protection.

“The Secretary-General is pleased that a mutually agreeable solution has been found to the disagreement between the Government of Guinea-Bissau and the former Prime Minister, Mr. Carlos Gomes Junior,” a UN spokesman said in a statement.

Welcoming this “positive development” and voicing gratitude to all who contributed to resolving the differences, Mr. Ban called on all concerned in Guinea-Bissau “to work together towards peace and stability in their country as well as on poverty alleviation and development.”

According to news reports, the former Prime Minister left the UN offices after an arrest warrant against him was dropped.