Council stresses early preparations for elections

United Nations Security Council on Wednesday stressed the need to start preparations for the upcoming elections in Guinea-Bissau "as soon as possible", a statement by the Council's president Ambassador Alfonso Valdivieso said. Voicing concern at the constitutional impasse and the increasing political instability in the country, members endorsed UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's appeal to organise a speedy election for President and Vice-President of the country's Supreme court. It noted this would be "a concrete manifestation of the government's commitment to the rule of law and respect for human rights. According to President Kumba Yala's announcement in late November the elections would to be held on 23 February. The Council appealed to the government to ensure that the forthcoming legislative elections are conducted in a "transparent, fair and credible manner", Valdivieso said, adding that it was important a new constitution be promulgated "without delay". Members expressed concern at the serious economic situation in the country and called on the government to take necessary steps to facilitate a constructive dialogue with the international community and call on the latter to stand ready to provide assistance. They were equally concerned by information regarding the harassment of civilians by security forces, as well as the financial difficulties of the demobilisation, reinsertion and reintegration programme. On 17 December, while expressing concerned at the political, economic and social situation in Guinea-Bissau, Annan had called for international support for the country's upcoming legislative elections. He said such backing "would not only help ensure that the polling takes place in a transparent and fair manner but also contribute to the consolidation of the country's fragile democracy," Annan had written in a new report to the Security Council on recent developments in that country and on the activities of the UN Peace-building Support Office (UNOGBIS) in Guinea-Bissau. He observed that "although there has been no resort to violence and it is clear that the people of Guinea-Bissau, whatever their political convictions, are united in their desire for peace", political developments had not been encouraging. "The Constitution has still not been promulgated and constant changes of ministers have contributed to the increasing instability in the country," he added. Following Yala's decision in November to dissolve the National Assembly and to dismiss the government of Prime Minister Alhamara N'Tchia Nhasse, the new government put in place was essentially "a caretaker administration, with little constitutional or operational capacity", Annan said. The judiciary remains weak and, because appointments to the Supreme Court have been made by presidential decree rather than by election from among the judges, the Court cannot be said to be independent, Annan noted. Urgent action was needed to restore the checks and balances and separation of powers that are necessary in a democracy, Annan said, urging President Yala "to move purposefully" towards the promulgation of the Constitution so that no institution may interpret constitutional provisions in its own interest or to its advantage. "This is especially important at a time when the country is moving towards holding early legislative elections," he added. Yala came to power in January 2000. Since then, the country has been wracked by crises, including a rebellion by members of the former military junta in November 2000, a coup attempt in December 2001, and the dismissal of several ministers in recent months. Opposition parties recently demanded Yala's resignation, blaming him for Guinea-Bissau's economic crisis and political instability.