New date for government swearing-in

The Guinea Bissau government of national unity will be sworn in on 7 February, three days after the scheduled withdrawal of Guinean and Senegalese troops from the country, AFP reported at the weekend quoting Prime Minister Francisco Fadul. The inaugural date was decided in weekend talks with a delegation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which is to send an interposition force to the country. The formation of the government has been delayed by haggling over the departure of the Guineans and Senegalese, as well as the arrival of ECOMOG troops. “I am optimistic they will form a government soon because of strong pressure from parties,” a Bissau-based diplomat told IRIN today (Monday). “The public will not accept postponement.” Formation of the unity government and deployment of ECOMOG troops are major elements of a peace accord signed in November 1998 between the government of Joao Bernardo Vieira and the Military Junta.