Annan calls for free, fair elections

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan called on Wednesday on the parties in Guinea-Bissau, including the military, to ensure that the country’s presidential and parliamentary elections are conducted on Sunday in a “free, fair and transparent manner”. In a statement issued in New York through his spokesman, Annan pledged continued UN support for the electoral process. He also said the UN would help the new civilian government foster a climate of peace and reconciliation, “conducive to economic reconstruction and development”. The UN has a Peace-building Support Office in the country called UNOGBIS and Interim President Malam Bacai Sanha has asked for its mandate to be extended a year from 31 December. The elections, a landmark in the country’s political life, were to have take place in March, under the Abuja peace accord signed between the Military Junta and the government of Joao Bernardo Vieira who was eventually overthrown two months later. Guinea-Bissau closed its borders and airport on Wednesday for the elections.