23 June 2014 - The UN family in Guinea-Bissau led by DSRSG, Gana Fofang, today attended the inauguration ceremony of the new President of the Republic, José Mario Vaz (also known as JOMAV), at 24 September National Stadium, in Bissau, amidst thousands of his fellow compatriots.

JOMAV sworn-in during a special session of the National Assembly chaired by the Speaker, Cipriano Cassamá, in the presence of representatives of the highest institutions of the State, including the outgoing Transitional President and government.

In his maiden speech, President Vaz thanked several countries of the region and international organizations, namely Morocco, Timor-Leste, the UN, ECOWAS, CPLP and EU, for their support to Guinea-Bissau during the transition.

He praised the Transitional President, Manuel Serifo Nhamadjo, for facilitating dialogue and discussions between the various national actors and stakeholders of the transition. Vaz committed also to respecting the Constitution and laws, promising to eradicate poverty and put an end to instability in the country through a strategic partnership with the upcoming government.

He went on by calling on political parties, civil society organizations, military institutions, traditional and religious leaders to work as one for a lasting peace and democracy in Guinea-Bissau.

Finally, he reaffirmed his commitment to fighting corruption and stressed the need for reforms in a number of areas, including public administration, justice sector, defense and police. In this regard, President Vaz promised to work with the upcoming government to create the conditions to facilitate the work of the armed forces and establish a permanent dialogue with the Army on its modernization.

Nine West African Heads of State were present, including John Dramani Mahama of, who is also the Chairman of ECOWAS; Macky Sall, of Senegal; Alpha Conde, of Guinea-Conakry; Yaya Jameh, of The Gambia; Jorge Carlos Fonseca, of Cape Verde; Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, of Mali; Blaise Compaore, of Burkina Faso; Goodluck Jonathan, of Nigeria; Mahamadou Issoufou, of Niger; Bony Yayi, of Benin.

The United States of America sent a delegation of five representatives led by Under-Secretary of State Robert Jackson, who came from Washington DC.

The Prime Minister of Togo, the Deputy Prime Minister of Guinea-Equatorial, Clement Enonguene; the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Mozambique, Baloi, and Portugal, Rui Machete; the Minister of Defence of Angola, Joao Lourenco; the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ivory Coast, General Soumaila Bagayoko and the Under-Secretary-General of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Africa, Paul Andrade Pinto, were also in attendance, alongside CPLP’s Executive Secretary, the President of ECOWAS Commission, EU’s Director for West and Central Africa. The Diplomatic Corps and international organizations accredited to Bissau and high ranking national and international guests were also present at the ceremony.