TheNewsGuru

Tag: Guinea Bissau

  • Guinean president, Alpha Condé, ‘snubs’ Bissau counterpart

    Guinean president, Alpha Condé, ‘snubs’ Bissau counterpart

    The President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaru Cisoko Emballo, was not invited to Tuesday’s inauguration of President Alpha Conde because of “his lack of courtesy” to the Guinean head of state, the Minister-Secretary General of the Guinean Presidency, Kiridi Bangoura, said on Monday.

    According to the minister, who is also chairman of the inauguration sub-commission, Guinea has a problem of courtesy and diplomatic practice with Guinea-Bissau.

    He told the media that this had “crossed the limits that govern the principles of good neighbourliness and the principles enshrined in the Vienna Convention of 1951”.

    The president of Guinea-Bissau, known to be close to Mamadou Cellou Dalein Diallo, the main challenger of President Conde, has on several occasions condemned the third-term project of President Conde.

    President Emballo also reproached President Conde, who had been appointed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to mediate between Guinea-Bissau’s political actors, for trying to eliminate him from the political game to the benefit of his opponents.

    Well-informed sources in the Guinean capital say that the Congolese president, Denis Sassou Nguesso, who is very close to the two presidents, is expected at the inauguration and will try to iron out their differences.

  • JUST IN: Buhari receives Madagascan COVID-19 drug from Guinea Bissau’s President [Photo]

    JUST IN: Buhari receives Madagascan COVID-19 drug from Guinea Bissau’s President [Photo]

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday at the State House, Abuja, received the Madagascan native formulation against the COVID-19 pandemic, and reiterated that he will listen to science before allowing traditional or any new medicines to be administered on Nigerians.

    At an audience meeting with President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea Bissau who brought along with him the samples of the traditional medicine as shared to African nations by Madagascar, Buhari said his position on all such herbal or traditional medicinal postulates had remained the same.

    “We have our institutions, systems and processes in the country. Any such formulations should be sent to them for verification. I will not put it to use without the endorsement of our institutions,” said the Nigerian President.

    On the main reason for his visit, Embalo said having stabilized his country after the tussles that attended the general elections won by him, he had come to seek counsel from his “father,” President Buhari on his plan for a “government of national unity” and a proposed war against corruption in his country.

    He also said that his new government met a country beset with a number of issues and problems, the resolution of which would require tremendous assistance from the “big brother,” Nigeria.

    “Problems of Guinea Bissau are problems of Nigeria. I have come to you as your son. I need your help and assistance to make the people happy. I will not let you down, neither will I put you in any difficult situation,” the visiting leader told President Buhari.

    In response to these demands, the Nigerian leader commended “General“ Embalo on his confirmation as President and for stabilizing the country. “I commend your political dexterity in getting the opposition to join the proposed unity government,” he said.

    Buhari restated the determination of Nigeria to keep West Africa politically stable and promised to support the new government in Guinea Bissau. “I will cooperate and help in every way possible,” assured the Nigerian President.

    President Buhari also used the opportunity of the visit to praise the good work that the President of Niger Republic, Mahamadou Issoufou, who is the current Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is doing in the sub-region, and commended him for keeping him informed of all that is happening around.

  • President resigns after just one full day in office

    President resigns after just one full day in office

    Cipriano Cassama, who was made interim president of Guinea-Bissau by the PAIGC party, has resigned after spending just one full day in office.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Cassama stepped down on security grounds two days after he was sworn in to the post.

    “An interim president needs to have all the security conditions to fulfill his duties. Today my life is in danger, my family’s life is in danger, the population’s life is in danger. That is why I have decided to resign,” Cassama said on Sunday.

    Guinea-Bissau has been thrown into political turmoil since the December 29th runoff vote between ruling PAIGC party leader, Domingos Simoes Pereira and Umaro Sissoco Embalo

    Embalo emerged winner of the runoff vote, but Pereira claimed the vote was fraudulent and demanded a recount.

    Cassama was then sworn in by lawmakers in the tiny West African nation on Friday, despite his name not being on the ballot that produced Embalo as president.

    Embalo was sworn in as president at a luxury hotel on Thursday after Guinea-Bissau electoral management body declared him winner of the December runoff vote.

    The ruling PAIGC party had challenged the outcome of the election at the country’s Supreme Court.

    However, Cassama said he would retain his post as parliament speaker.

    Despite the resignation of Cassama, Guinea-Bissau still has two rival prime ministers.

  • Nigeria deploy 185 troops to Guinea Bissau for peace keeping mission

    Nigeria deploy 185 troops to Guinea Bissau for peace keeping mission

    The Nigerian Army on Friday completed pre-deployment training for 185 troops for peacekeeping mission in Guinea Bissau.

    According to reports the 185 troops began their pre-deployment training on Jan. 6, at the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peace Keeping Centre (MLAILPKC), Jaji Kaduna State.

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai, said the troops will be Nigeria’s Company 8, in the ECOWAS Mission in Guinea Bissau.

    Buratai said that the graduation further confirmed the commitment of Nigeria to deploy quality peacekeepers as part of its contributions to the quest for global peace and security.

    He explained that the pre-deployment training was aimed at refreshing and polishing their knowledge and expertise in peace support operation.

    “The training was to equip you with the requisite skills required to protect yourselves, ECOWAS Mission in Guinea, equipment and the citizens of Guinea Bissau your host nation while carrying out the mission’s mandate.”

    Buratai cautioned the troops to avoid any ugly incident that could tarnish the image of the Army and Nigeria during their stay in Guinea Bissau.

    “Let me categorically state that you are to discharge your duties in consonance with the mission’s mandate at all times.

    “I must also remind you that the rules of engagement in the mission give you the latitude to exhibit utmost professionalism in the discharge of your responsibilities.

    “Additionally, you must respect the culture and religious sensitivity of the people of the host nation and must not involve yourselves in the trafficking of the illicit substance of any kind.”

    He added that the ECOWAS Mission has zero-tolerance to sexual exploitation and abuse.

    “The Nigerian Army and indeed the government will also not tolerate the contravention of these policies,” he said.

    Earlier, Maj.-Gen James Ataguba, the Commandant of MLAILPKC said that the training included classroom lectures on prescribed United Nations pre-deployment training materials.

    Ataguba said that the physical and field training covered areas such as intensive physical exercises, occupation of basic camp, crowd dispersal, tactical convoy movement, escort of VIP and weapons handling.

    “I, therefore, make bold to say that the Nigerian Company 8 Economic Community of West State mission in Guinea Bissau has received adequate training required to be into any UN or regional coordinated mission.”

  • JUST IN: Buhari donates $500,000, vehicles, others to Guinea Bissau for elections

    JUST IN: Buhari donates $500,000, vehicles, others to Guinea Bissau for elections

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the donation of $500,000 to Guinea Bissau to support the country’s election process.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

    He explained that the approval was in response to an urgent request for assistance by the Government of Guinea Bissau.

    Shehu added that the President supported the country with 350 units of electoral kits, 10 motorcycles, five Hilux vans, and two light trucks.

    According to him, this will ensure that legislative elections, which should help in stabilising Guinea Bissau, hold in the country.

    As Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State, President Buhari directed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, to undertake an urgent mission as his Special Envoy to Guinea Bissau.

    Shehu said the minister would visit the country in the company of ECOWAS Commission President, Jean-Claude Brou.

    In a separate development, Mr Onyeama would undertake a mission to Cotonou, Benin Republic, to deliver a personal message to President Patrice Talon from President Buhari.

    The visit, according to the presidential aide, is in the context of the brewing political crisis ahead of the legislative elections scheduled to hold on April 28, 2019, in the country.

    Read the full statement below:

    In his capacity as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State, President Muhammadu Buhari, this morning, directed the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama to undertake an urgent mission as his Special Envoy to Guinea Bissau, in the company of ECOWAS Commission President, Jean-Claude Brou.

    President Buhari had in response to an urgent request for assistance by the Government of Guinea Bissau graciously approved support to the country’s election process including three hundred and fifty (350) units of electoral kits, ten(10) motorcycles, five(5) Hilux vans, two(2) light trucks and Five hundred thousand US Dollars ($500,000).

    This vital assistance ensured that legislative elections held in Guinea Bissau, which should help in stabilising the country.

    In a separate development, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister will also undertake a mission to Cotonou, Benin, to deliver a personal message to President Patrice Talon from President Buhari.

    The visit is in the context of the brewing political crisis ahead of April 28, 2019, legislative elections in the country.

     

  • Guinea-Bissau needs genuinely free, fair elections – UN Security Council

    Guinea-Bissau needs genuinely free, fair elections – UN Security Council

    The UN Security Council says political actors in Guinea-Bissau must demonstrate renewed good faith to hold “genuinely free and fair elections” to break cycle of instability in the country.

    The 15-member Security Council in a statement warned that the country was set to face continuous cycle of instability unless the political actors commit to holding free and fair poll.

    The Council expressed regret that the country did not hold elections as planned on Nov. 18, and voiced “deep concern” over preparations for the polls, now scheduled for March 10, 2019.

    Holding “genuinely free and fair” elections on the revised date across the small West African nation, bordering Senegal, is vital to preserve the “still fragile gains” in the path to stability in the country, the Council members said.

    “Legislative elections are a fundamental step in resuming sustainable and nationally owned reforms and should take place prior to the presidential elections foreseen in 2019,” they added.

    The Council members also reiterated the important role of ECOWAS in supporting peacebuilding and sustaining peace in Guinea-Bissau, commending the regional bloc for its “determination” to hold accountable all those who deliberately obstructed the smooth conduct of the electoral process.

    Security Council members also recalled the implementation of the October 2016 Conakry Agreement, the primary framework for a peaceful resolution of the political crisis in the country, noting its importance to ensure political stability and build sustainable peace in Guinea-Bissau.

    Council members also commended the country’s defence and security forces for their “continued non-interference” in the politics of Guinea-Bissau, and strongly urged them to continue in that vein.

    They also encouraged the continuation of the ECOWAS Mission in Guinea-Bissau through the end of the electoral cycle in 2019 to maintain stability in the country and invited international partners to support ECOWAS in that regard.

    The Council’s statement followed a briefing, last week, by Taye-Brook Zerihoun, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, and Ambassador Mauro Vieira of Brazil to the UN on the developments in the country.

  • Peacekeeping: Send our troops back home, Buhari tells Guinea Bissau President

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said the nation was in dire needs of the services of the troops that had been keeping peace in the crisis-riddled Guinea Bissau back home.

    Buhari also advised President José Mário Vaz to use a constitutional way of resolving the crisis in the country.

    He said Nigeria needed its troops that had been keeping peace in the country back home.

    According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President spoke while receiving the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Marcel A. de Souza, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Buhari was quoted as saying that he expected a formal report on the situation in Guinea Bissau at the 52nd Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government holding on Saturday in Abuja.

    “We need our troops back home, and I hope the President of that country will accept a constitutional way to resolve the situation there,” the President said.

    Buhari also said it was gladdening that the organisation demand accountability from its headquarters staff, which made it to invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from Nigeria recently to look into its books.

    “Thanks for being firm, and for insisting on transparency and accountability at the ECOWAS headquarters,” President Buhari said, adding that Nigeria would continue to fulfill its obligations to the sub-regional body.