AFRICA/GUINEA BISSAU - “Compared to 30 years ago the regional and ethnical factor is much more keenly felt” local observer comments first round of presidential elections

Monday, 20 June 2005

Bissau (Fides Service)- “Yes the elections was peaceful and this is a positive fact in itself but the important thing will be the results to see if the electorate had the maturity to go beyond traditional ethnic divisions and vote for the candidate’s qualities instead of ethnic origin” a local source told Fides with regard to the first round of presidential elections in Guinea Bissau (see Fides 18 June 2005).
The vote was peaceful, no incidents of violence were reported “except for the case of a disagreement which came to physical blows between a local media operator and a member of the bodyguard of the former president Kumba Yala but it was only one isolated episode” the sources told Fides.
Thirteen candidates including former president Kumba Yala, ousted by a bloodless coup in 2003 and replaced by interim president Henrique Rosa, but who still considers himself legally in power, and former president Joao Bernardo Vieira, in power for almost 19 years. However analysts say the struggle for presidency will be between three candidates with Malam Bacai Sanha, leader African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) in power. Yala and Vieira, both ousted by a coup, were recently allowed to stand in the elections after first being banned.
“The elections are without a doubt fundamental for the country’s progress towards democracy” the source told Fides. “The trouble is compared to 30 years ago the regional and ethnic factor is much more keenly felt: people vote according to ethnic origin. This is because the state is still weak and people do not feel guaranteed by the institutions and see the ethnic group and the only source of protection”.
“This is why” the sources told Fides “usually governments are minorities with only 30-35% consensus and to govern it is necessary to negotiate support from opposition members often using questionable methods”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 20/6/2005 righe 31 parole 395)


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