12 April 2014 - The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) to Guinea-Bissau today stated that the massive presence of high level international missions of observers to the general elections on Sunday April 13, is a positive factor that shows the interest of the international community in Guinea-Bissau as well as a factor of dissuasion from past practices towards a new country ready to move towards development.

"The international community's interest in the elections and the return of Guinea-Bissau to constitutional order, showed through the presence of more than 400 observers, is a factor of deep interest and dissuasion and therefore of stability", said UNIOGBIS leader.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate spoke at the end of a high level meeting with the President of ECOWAS Commission, Kadré Desiré Ouedraogo, and with the chief of the observer's mission of this West-African organization, former Liberia Head of State Amos Sawyer, among other personalities.

The meeting, requested by the President of ECOWAS Commission, held at a hotel in Bissau, aimed at exchange of views on the final stage of the process leading to the legislative and presidential elections, as well as to express gratitude to José Ramos-Horta and UNIOGBIS for all efforts displayed in support of returning Guinea-Bissau to constitutional order, and also to Timor-Leste for the generous solidarity allowing the elections to be held.

"ECOWAS Commission President congratulated UNIOGBIS and SRSG in particular for the remarkable progress and expressed his gratitude for Timor-Leste support to Guinea-Bissau, ECOWAS and in effect Africa in general", he said.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate noted that the performance of ECOWAS and ECOMIB is commendable. He noted that it is impressive that the situation on the ground is peaceful and does not raise concerns. The international community has in Guinea-Bissau four ex-Heads of State and ministers, and above 400 observers, revealing an attention which is both "dissuasive and a sign of stability", said SRSG.

UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, chose the Nobel Peace Prize laureate José Ramos-Horta to lead UNIOGBIS when Guinea-Bissau was at the bottom of the interests of the international community. Today, the country is back in the map.

One year has passed since the SRSG's arrival and it is visible that Ban Ki-moon's intentions are a success thanks to the efforts of José Ramos-Horta who, tirelessly, lobbied and made the necessary political pressures to mobilize the international community in recognizing the laudable role ECOWAS took in the beginning to avoid a descent to anarchy in Guinea-Bissau. The collaboration of Ramos-Horta and partners has resulted in many electoral observers.
"As big is the intervention, bigger is prevention", concluded Ramos-Horta.