Parliament discusses deepening crisis

Members of Guinea-Bissau's parliament began a two-day special session of parliament on Monday to discuss the deepening political crisis following recent remarks by President Kumba Yala that he intended to sack civil servants for alleged corruption, news organisations reported.

At the weekend Yala said he would sack over half of the country's civil servants for corruption and embezzlement and replace them with members of his own political party, news organisations reported. Yala also threatened violence against any politicians who try to use the army against him. Some 77 MPs are taking part in the extraordinary session of the National Assembly to discuss the volatile situation in the West African country, AFP reported.

In a statement issued on Monday by Richard Ryan, UN Security Council president, members expressed concern at recent developments in Guinea-Bissau and "called on all institutions of government to engage in dialogue, to respect the constitution and to promote national reconciliation in order to find a way out of the current difficulties."

Since his election in January 2000, Yala has come into conflict with members of his own party, other political actors and members of the judiciary. Magistrates began a 30-day strike on 25 September in protest against Yala's dismissal of members of the Supreme Court including its president. Earlier this month, the authorities in Guinea-Bissau denied rumours that sections of the military were preparing to overthrow the government.

The new developments do not bode well for the peace process in Guinea-Bissau which has been rocked by insecurity in recent years. An 11-month war between forces loyal to then President Nino Vieira, supported by Senegalese and Guinean troops, and a self styled Military Junta, ended in May 1999 with Viera's ousting from power. The Junta, led by Brig-Gen Ansumane Mane (now late) co-governed Guinea-Bissau with civilians until Yala was sworn in.