UN reports progress in transition to democracy

The UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, has reported progress in the transition to democracy in Guinea-Bissau following last month's presidential and legislative elections, according to his latest report to the Security Council. In his 23 December report, Annan described the elections as "an important step forward in the ongoing transition to democracy and the restoration of peace and normalcy". In the legislative poll, the Partido da Renovacao Social (PRS) won 38 out of 102 seats in the National Assembly followed by the Resistencia da Guinea-Bissau (RGB) with 29. No party gained an absolute majority. The new parliamentarians will take office on 4 January, LUSA reported the Commissao Nacional de Eleccioes (CNE) as saying on Monday. Annan said: "It is my hope that the results of the legislative elections signal the emergence of an era of pluralistic democracy." No clear winner emerged from among 12 candidates who contested the 28 November presidential election. As a result, the formation of a new government is not expected before February, following a second round of voting scheduled for 16 January. Annan called on UN member states and interested organisations to provide assistance in the conduct of the run-off. Meanwhile, the mandate of the UN Peace Building Support Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNOGBIS) has been extended by three months to 31 March 2000, Annan reported.