UN boss optimistic about political stability in G/Bissau

The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moonBan Ki-moon, has implored on the leaders of Guinea Bissau to capitalize on the little progress gained in the country’s democratization process and regain the confidence of the masses in a bid to better their lives.

Mr Ban said this as part of his latest report on the country to the Security Council.

“There is a window of opportunity in Guinea-Bissau that must be seized,” he stated, urging the country’s leaders to capitalize on the success of the last elections and public optimism to improve on the country’s social and economic conditions.

As one of the poorest in the region, Guinea-Bissau has over the past years seen a drastic rise in the cost of living as a result of concomitant rise in price of basic food stuffs, to the detriment of the suffering masses, all thanks to the a rather destructive civil war inspired by power struggle. There have been a number of assassinations of the country’s political figures. A sitting president, João Bernardo Vieira, was killed in horrendous circumstances by military officials, allegedly in retaliation of the killing earlier on of the country’s head of army. Then a presidential contender, Baciro Dabó and the country’s former defense minister, Helder Proença, were also murdered, shortly before election campaign for president commenced.

But Mr Ban appears optimistic about the future, given the level of democratic progress already reached in the country. He commended the entire population of Guinea Bissau for the “peaceful and well organized” presidential elections in June and July, which saw Malam Bacai Sanhá emerged as winner in a run-off round against Mohamed Yalá, better known as Kumba Yala, his name before converting to Islam.

The UN boss however noted that the record voter abstention rate highlights the need for the country’s political leaders to “foster dialogue and accountability towards their constituents, in order to reinforce democracy and regain the confidence of citizens.”

Mr Ban, in his report, called for the successful completion of ongoing investigations into those political assassinations, which he hopes will dispel the feeling of impunity and contribute to justice and national reconciliation. He stated that “It will also improve the image of Guinea-Bissau and restore the confidence of the international community.”

The UN Secretary General pledged the support of the UN Peace Building Office in Guinea Bissau (UNOGBIS), which will be succeeded on 1 January 2010 by the UN Integrated Peace Building Office there (UNIOGBIS).

According to the UN, this new office will be responsible for, among others, strengthening the capacity of national institutions, supporting the establishment of efficient law enforcement and helping to mobilize international assistance.