Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bissau (Fides Service)- There will probably be a run-off between Malam Bacai Sanha and Joao Bernardo Vieira considering the results, not final, after a first round of presidential elections on Sunday 19 June in Guinea Bissau (see Fides 18 and 20 June 2005). “Final results of the first round of elections should be announced in three days time” Radio Sol Mansi in Mansoa informed Fides.
Sanha leads with 158,276 votes, while Vieira has 128,918 votes. Third with 111,606 votes is Kumba Yala, former President ousted by a bloodless coup in 2003. Malam Bacai Sanha and Joao Bernardo Vieira are also former Presidents.
Vieira, known as “Nino”, led Guinea Bissau from 1980 until 1999 when he was deposed with a coup and forced to go into exile in Portugal, Sanha took Vieira’s place and was President from May 1999 to January 2000.
“A spokesman for Kumba Yala said he is still the legitimate head of state and his party would not accept the results because the vote was irregular” the sources told Fides. “At the moment all is calm but it is worrying to know that Kumba Yala has many supporters Balante like him in the army and special forces”.
During the night of 24 May Kumba Yala and about twenty supporters occupied the Residence of the President for about 4 hours. The president Henrique Rosa and the African Union said it was an attempted coup. Following the incident about 12 members of Kumba Yala’s party and 58 soldiers were arrested. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 23/6/2005 righe 31 parole 315)
