Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau opposition asks government to step down

afrol News, 9 April - The majority parties of the parliament of Guinea-Bissau have presented a motion of censure to the government of the independent Faustino Imbali, appointed just over one week ago. The parliament was to convene an extraordinary session to debate and formalise the motion, but reportedly debates it today.

According to lastest news from the Portuguese international radio (RDP), the Parliament will debate the motion today, even if it had not been announced by the Speaker (the Vice-President). The government already claims the move is illegal, and that an extraordinary session is necessary. The opposition is however determined to present the motion today.

There seems to be a broad majority in parliament to ask the government to step down. The party holding the majority of government offices, the Party of Social Restoration (PRS), only counts on 38 of the 102 Members of Parliament. Even with the government ministers from the opposition and the three MPs from the Social Democratic Party (PSD) supporting the government, it is far from reaching 50 percent of the parliamentary votes.

According to the opposition, Prime Minister Imbali, 45 years old and a trained sociologist not belonging to any political party, does not have the right profile, or sufficient political experience to take charge of the important office of the PM at this time of crisis experienced in Guinea-Bissau. 

In a letter on Tuesday to President Kumba Yala, they also said Imbali's government did not meet the conditions needed to bring about a climate of peace, stability and national reconciliation, AFP reported. 

Further, on Thursday, the leader of the regional party, the Bafatá Movement, accused Imbali of only having the intention "wanting to take advantage of the office for his own enrichment" and that he was promoting "an obscure management of public affairs" leading to a poor image of the country abroad. 

The International Monetary Foundation (IMF) allegedly demands the establishment of a stable government and the reduction of the armed forces from 25.000 to 4.000 men before it will help financing the reconstruction after the civil war. 

President Kumba Yala in March had announced the establishment of a new government in Guinea-Bissau to replace that of Caetano Intchama. On 21 March, Yala appointed Imbali to the post of Prime Minister. Imbali on 26 March named a team of 14 ministers and eight state secretaries, and promised to concentrate on resolving the political instability in the country. Imbali is heading the fourth government in Guinea-Bissau in the last 13 months.

Sources: Based on Lusa, RDP and afrol archives

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