United Nations Radio

Preparations for next Sunday's presidential elections in Guinea Bissau remain on track, according to the Secretary-General's envoy in the country.

Joseph Mutaboba

Joseph Mutaboba was speaking in the Security Council on Tuesday where he introduced the report of the Secretary-General on the activities of the Peace-building Support Office in Guinea Bissau (UNOGBIS).

Mr. Mutaboba said that when the head of political affairs at the United Nations was in the country recently, the Interim President of Guinea Bissau Raimundo Pereira confirmed that the elections would be held as scheduled.

"The UNDP is providing technical support and UNOGBIS will coordinate the activities of international electoral observers from the African Union, ECOWAS, the International Organization of La Francophonie and the West African Economic and Monetary Union. The European Union and some bilateral countries will also be deploying electoral observers."

But, Mr. Mutaboba pointed out, that the general situation in Guinea Bissau is fragile and there is insecurity among both the elite and the general population.

Diane Bailey, United Nations.

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