Guinea-Bissau
UN urges Guinea-Bissau to reform

afrol News, 9 July - The UN Security Council yesterday held a meeting on Guinea-Bissau and urged the country's government to embark on reforms necessary to bring stability. The UN has been involved in peacekeeping and promoting stability in Guinea-Bissau since 1999 without major results.

The Security Council said in a statement issued yesterday they supported UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's call in his latest report on Guinea-Bissau for all the parties and leaders there "to promote constructive dialogue within the norms laid down by the constitution." 

The Council further supported the Annan's appeal to both the executive and the legislative branches "to reach a compromise on the constitutional issue, including the separation of powers." 

Calling for further reforms, the Council called on President Kumba Yala "to commit himself to three things: to full respect for national reconciliation, good governance and the implementation of the programme for demobilisation, reintegration and reinsertion of former combatants; to close monitoring of the management of public finances; and to improved interrelations with the Gambia and continuing full cooperation with Senegal on the issues at stake." 

Relations between Guinea-Bissau and The Gambia were at stake with last month's threat by President Yala to attack The Gambia for reportedly backing alleged coups d'état in Bissau. This has been categorically denied by The Gambia. Annan has nominated an envoy to solve the dispute.

Finally, the Security Council also appealed to international finance institutions to stay committed to the country.

Sources: Based on UN and afrol archives

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