Annan proposes extension of UNOGBIS

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan proposed on Tuesday the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Peace-building Support Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNOGBIS) until the end of 2003, UN News reported. In a letter to the president of the UN Security Council released on Tuesday, Annan said that Bissau's President Kumba Yala requested the extension until 31 December 2003, to allow UNOGBIS to continue its activities especially in support of economic reconstruction and growth. "This extension will allow UNOGBIS, in close cooperation with other entities of the United Nations system, including the Bretton Woods institutions, to contribute further to the consolidation of the democratic gains in Guinea-Bissau, to help its people lay the foundations for durable peace and sustainable development and to strengthen the country's friendly relations with its neighbours," Annan wrote. The letter also noted that UNOGBIS had continued to carry out its activities in support of the authorities' peace-building efforts and had played a constructive role in helping the government to meet its multiple challenges. Last October, Annan had requested that the Council prolong the Office's operations which were due to expire on 31 December 2001 until the end of this year. UNOGBIS was set up to support the transition to democracy in Guinea-Bissau, where a military rebellion that began in June 1998 led to the overthrow of an elected government in May 1999. A new civilian government came to power in February 2000 following elections in November 1999 and January 2000.