Annan urges cooperation

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has appealed to the leaders of Guinea-Bissau and Senegal to normalise the tense situation along their common border, caused by the activities of a pro-independence movement in southern Senegal.

In a report on the activities of the UN Peace-Building Support Office in Guinea-Bissau, released on 16 March, Annan warned that the country’s growing involvement in the fighting within the Mouvement des forces democratiques de Casamance (MFDC) was alarming.

Guinea-Bissau has launched an offensive to push back the MFDC guerrillas into Senegal. Guinea-Bissau has accused some members of the movement of interfering in its internal affairs and of trying to kill President Kumba Yala. It also accused members of this movement of fighting beside General Ansumanne Mane in a show-down with government troops, in November 2000, in which Mane was killed.

Within Guinea-Bissau, Annan urged all parties to hold talks to reduce tension. He warned that continued instability would reduce donor confidence and hurt efforts to rebuild the country. A UN Development Programme aid conference for the country has been delayed by the instability. However, noting that the country’s lack of natural resources had been a major cause of social tension, Annan appealed for continued foreign engagement in the country.

“ I, therefore, reiterate my call on the international community to provide urgent assistance,” he said, “so as to enable the government to meet its pressing, short-term obligations.”