Strong support expressed following last week’s upheavals

Regional and international organizations have expressed support for Guinea-Bissau’s fragile democracy following last week’s aborted attempt by former military strongman General Ansumane Mane to take control of the armed forces.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan told a Security Council meeting on Wednesday he was pleased Guinea-Bissau’s conflict had ended peacefully.

Annan congratulated those who played a role in the resolution of the conflict. He urged the government of Guinea-Bissau to manage the post-crisis process “within the rule of law and with due regard for democratic principles and national reconciliation”.

The conflict erupted when Mane revoked military promotions made by President Kumba Yala and declared himself head of the armed forces on 20 November. Loyalist troops forced him to flee Bissau three days later. Some of his supporters were caught. Others surrendered. However, there was no indication that Mane had been captured.

Mane headed a military junta that co-governed Guinea-Bissau after an 11-month mutiny that ousted Yala’s predecessor in May 1999. His relations with Yala, elected in February, had been less than cordial over the past few months. On various occasions, he had opposed decisions made by the president.

Annan identified some of the root causes of Guinea-Bissau’s crisis as endemic poverty, a highly politicized army, weak institutions and an insecure environment. He said post-conflict peace building was a long-term process that required the active and concerted participation of both the government and the international community.

The Security Council, in a statement released on Wednesday, pledged support for Guinea-Bissau’s democratically elected government and urged all parties to respect it. The Council called on the members of the former military junta to withdraw from politics and subordinate themselves to the government.

The Council also stated that an accurate count of the military forces was needed urgently, along with disarmament and demobilization.

The European Union said it was pleased that legitimacy had been restored in Guinea-Bissau and gave the assurance that it stood ready to contribute to the country’s reconstruction effort.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said it was committed to helping Guinea-Bissau resolve its conflict peacefully. Brahima Traore, the envoy sent to Guinea-Bissau last week by ECOWAS Chairman Alpha Oumar Konare, said the message he conveyed had been well received by Yala.

Traore urged other international institutions to help the West African nation solidify its weakened democracy.