AFRICA/GUINEA BISSAU - Uncertainty and concern in Guinea Bissau after declarations by former President Kumba Yala

Tuesday, 17 May 2005

Bissau (Fides Service)- “The situation is complicated from the juridical point of view but the main concern is on the political level” said Fr Davide Sciocco, PIME missionary with long experience in Guinea Bissau where tension has risen after a statement made by former President Kumba Yala in which he claimed he is still head of state and demanded the postponement of 19 June presidential elections.
Kumba Yala was ousted by a bloodless coup in September 2003. After a period of house arrest he reappeared on Guinea Bissau’s political scene and the constitutional court issued a sentence allowing the former head of state to take part in presidential elections scheduled for 19 June of. “The sentence of the constitutional court restored legitimacy to Kumba Yala who now claims he is still the President” said Fr. Sciocco. When Kumba Yala was deposed he was also barred from political life.
“The main problem is to know how much support Kumba Yala has, the foreign powers who support him and the consensus he has among the military and in civil society ” the missionary told Fides. “So far the situation appears to me to be calm but it is clear that the statements made by Kumba Yala have given rise to fear and insecurity for the country’s future ” concluded Fr. Sciocco.
The country’s national defence council, made up of high ranking army officers, has said it will allow no “indiscipline or anarchy” reaffirming the neutrality of the armed forces in the country’s politics. On the international level representatives of Portuguese speaking countries Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Brazil, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe, Guinea Bissau and Timor-Leste) announced that they are against the postponement of the elections.
Security has been tightened in Bissau, with soldiers to guard the presidential residence and other possible targets. The situation is however calm, despite some apprehension with regard to a street demonstration in the capital this afternoon called by Kumba Yala.
On 14 September 2003 President Kumba Yala was ousted with a bloodless coup. A temporary government was installed on 28 September 2003, with the task of preparing elections which where held on 28 March 2004 and were won by Party for Guinea Independence, PAIGC which had secured the country’s independence from Portugal. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 17/5/2005 righe 37 parole 427)


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