Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bissau (Agenzia Fides) – Legislative elections took place in peace in Guinea Bissau yesterday, when half a million voters voted for 100 representatives in the National Assembly. In order to guarantee the legality of the vote, 150 international observers were deployed. There was a high participation rate, i.e. about 80% of the voters.
The electoral campaign was marked by reciprocal accusations of collusion with cocaine traffickers, among the leading political parties. For year now, Guinea Bissau and the other western African nations have become 'stop-over' countries in the shipping of large quantities of cocaine from South America to Europe.
This question was at the center of the electoral campaign, due to the increase in the number of local citizens that use narcotics. All the candidates promised to fight unceasingly against drug-trafficking. However, it was curious to observe the fact that several parties used costly means to promote their electoral campaign, with elaborately decorated trucks that traveled all over the country, etc.
The main candidates were from the: PAIGC (The African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde), the historical party that fought for the independence from Portugal (Cape Verde became a separate state, however the PAIGC maintained its name), and that since 1974 has dominated the political scene in the country, remaining the only party in power for over 20 years (the current President Joao Bernardo Vieira is an exponent from this party); the PRS (Party for Social Renewal) of former President Kumba Yala, thrown out of office after the coups in 2003, which is mainly supported by the ethnic group “Balante”; PRID (Republican Party for Independence and Development), created in March 2008 by former Prime Minister Aristide Gomes, former member of the PAIGC.
The history of Guinea after its independence has been characterized by instability, civil war, and coups d'etat, as well as poor economic conditions in which the majority of the population live.
President Vieira, nicknamed “Nino,” was in power from 1980-1999 (after the President and independence leader, Luis Cabral, was overthrown by the army). After the introduction of multi partisanship in 1991, Vieira and the PAIGC won elections in 1994. From 1998-99 there was a military rebellion led by General Ansumane Mane, who overthrew Vieria. In 2000, there were new elections and Kumba Yala won. His policies created great tensions among the people, even those who had voted for him, the Balante. In 2003, another coups overthrew Kumba Yala. In 2005, the military regime called for elections and Vieira won. On August 6, 2008, another attempt for a coups was detained.
The international community gave 8 million dollars towards the organization of elections. The country's stability is considered fundamental in blocking the flow of drugs into Europe. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 17/11/2008)
