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afrol News, 2 April - Since his last report of December 2001, there had been "definite progress in the consolidation of the democratisation process," writes UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. "Guinea-Bissau's nascent democratic system has continued to function," he adds. Still, concerns remained about the country's fragile situation. While there had been a slight overall improvement in Guinea-Bissau's political situation, certain crucial aspects remain unresolved, according to the new report on the country by Mr. Annan, omitted regularly to the Security Council. "After the cycles of violence and paralysis of recent years, there is now real hope that the country, despite its serious difficulties, can move forward," Annan writes. Annan reports to the Security Council on Guinea-Bissau and the activities of the UN Peace-building Support Office (UNOGBIS), stationed in the country to oversee the troubled transition to democracy. Although a civilian government has held office since January 2000, the political environment has remained polarised, blocking reconciliation and development. Noting some of the recent positive steps, the UN Secretary-General says that since December, there has been definite progress in Guinea-Bissau towards the consolidation of the democratisation process, including the resumption of the work of the National Assembly on 28 February 2002. The political deadlock between the leading political parties had been somewhat broken. Both the Partido da Renovação Social (PRS) of President Yala and the former ruling party, Partido Africano da Indepêndencia da Guiné e Cabo Verde (PAIGC), had held their party congresses, at which they elected new leaders and defined their priorities in preparation for the presidential elections to be held in 2004. As a result, the current Prime Minister, Alhamara N’Tchia Nhasse, was elected by 399 votes out of 567 to succeed President Kumba Yala as the leader of PRS, while an influential businessman, Carlos Gomes Junior, former Vice-President of the National Assembly and former adviser to President Nino Vieira, was elected Chairman of PAIGC by 367 votes out of 600. Human rights gains had also been made in February. Annan also noted that some human rights activists and an opposition political party leader had been released on bail in recent months. On 13 February 2002, of the former President of the Supreme Court, his Deputy and the Court accountant, who had been dismissed on 10 September 2001 by President Yala's decree. Further, two independent press organs, 'Correio Guiné-Bissau' and 'Gazeta de Noticias', which had been forced to close in October 2001, have been authorised to resume publishing, and the country's demobilisation programme has restarted. Particular attention was however given to safeguarding the rights of the 47 military persons arrested following the alleged coup plot on 2 December 2001. They are currently being held without trial in various military barracks and "the recent resurrection of the military court, which has not functioned since 1981 and does not have a code of procedure, is prompting serious concerns about respect for the rights of the accused," Annan notes. In general however, Annan applauded "the pledges made by the Government of Prime Minister Alhamara N'Tchia Nhasse to promote human rights and the independence of the judiciary." Security conditions along the border with the Senegalese province of Casamance, where border guards deployed at all border crossings continued to provide security, had also improved. The many periodic meetings between the army chiefs of staff of Senegal and Guinea-Bissau and between the commanders of their respective border military zones had contributed to the improved situation. - I call on the Government of Guinea-Bissau and the international donors to do all in their power to move ahead decisively to implement current demobilisation plans and restructure the armed forces, the UN Secretary-General writes. "The creation of professional, modern armed forces under democratic civilian control, adequately remunerated and equipped to meet Guinea-Bissau's genuine needs, is essential if lasting stability is to be secured." On the economic situation, regrettably, the country's economy continued "to suffer from cash flow problems in the private sector as well as from disinvestments caused by the recent war." Annan also noted that the depressed state of the economy means that it was impossible for the government to balance the budget He therefore called for direct budgetary support of US$ 3 million to help offset Guinea-Bissau's chronic deficit. "Further massive help is needed to rehabilitate the economic, social and cultural infrastructures; such rehabilitation, in turn, is essential for the effective re-launching of economic activities. A very high level of technical assistance to support key State institutions will also be necessary." The UN Secretary-General said he looked forward to the convening later this year of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Round Table Conference on Guinea-Bissau and in the meantime, encourages all interested countries and organizations to increase their bilateral aid in those areas. ©
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