Some progress but concern remains, UN reports

Guinea-Bissau has experienced a slight improvement in its political situation but some key issues remain unresolved, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in his latest report on the country to the Security Council.

Positive signs in recent months included some consolidation of the democratisation process, the release of human rights activists and the resumption in publishing of two privately owned newspapers, Annan said in his report on Guinea-Bissau and the activities of the UN Peace-building Support Office.

Despite these advances, he said that the new constitution parliament approved in 2001, had not yet been promulgated. Annan also urged the government and donors to help implement the demobilisation programme to ensure lasting peace in the country.

"I call on the Government of Guinea-Bissau and the international donors to do all in their power to move ahead decisively to implement current demobilisation plans and restructure the armed forces," he said.

"The creation of professional modern armed forces under democratic civilian control, adequatedly remunerated and equipped to meet Guinea-Bissau's genuine needs, is essential if lasting stability is to be secured," he added.

He also called for some US $3 million to help offset Guinea-Bissau's budget deficit.

In recent years Guinea-Bissau has experienced war, political tension and various internal crises and reports of a failed coup in December 2001 against President Kumba Yala. He came to power in early the previous year after winning elections that ended a brief period of military-civilian rule following the military’s ouster, in mid-1999, of President Nino Vieira.

Tension between the military and Yala's government came to a head in November 2000, when former junta leader General Ansumane Mane staged an aborted attempt to regain control over the armed forces. Mane was killed on 30 November 2000 by loyalist forces.