UN Chief for Guinea-Bissau wants development in a climate of peace

19 Aug 2014

UN Chief for Guinea-Bissau wants development in a climate of peace

19 August 2014 - Former President and former Prime Minister of Sao Tome and Principe, Miguel Trovoada, assumes this Thursday, 21 August the position of Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Guinea-Bissau.

Trovoada replaces former President of Timor-Leste and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, José Ramos-Horta, whose assignment ended last June.

In an interview with UN Radio, the new Representative of Ban Ki-moon spoke about his expectations: "I particularly noticed an unbreakable will of the international community, starting with the statement of the Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, to do everything to assist the people of Guinea-Bissau in order to lay the foundation for its development in a climate of stability and of peace", he said.

Asked about cooperation at this stage in Bissau-Guinean politics, Trovoada said the African nation went through a long period of transition that culminated in the holding of presidential and legislative elections.

According to him, all this shows maturity of the people and the ruling class. "I believe that all this makes us anticipate a period of stabilization of institutions, of political and social life, so that the foundations of economic growth and social development can be well accepted."

Trovoada also said Portuguese-speaking countries have a role to play as well as other organizations involved in Guinea-Bissau.

According to him, it would be great if everyone could find a common understanding to establish a single agenda for the well-being of the Guinean people.

On 16 July 2014 Miguel Trovoada was appointed by the UN SG as his Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS).