19 December 2013 - The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, José Ramos-Horta, in a message addressed to Bissau-Guinean People makes the balance of the year 2013 and unvails his perspectives for 2014.

This is the message of the chief of the United Nations Integrated Office for Peacebuilding in Guinea- Bissau (UNIOGBIS):

Unfortunately, the people of Guinea-Bissau are not going to celebrate a happy Christmas like they used to do. The year that is just ending was a year for further suffering, disappointments, broken promises, fear and impunity.

As the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative, I honestly cannot say that there was progress towards return to peace, good governance, justice, well-being.

I'm worried with regard to 2014 because nothing assures us that the situation will improve.

The postponing of the elections means postponing the resolution of Guinea-Bissau serious problems. The international community remains very skeptical about the political will of Guinean political leaders to assume their responsibilities and decisively find lasting solutions to serious problems of their country.

The international community cannot replace the national leaders. The international community can support those who demonstrably deserve support, who want to be supported.

I call Guinea-Bissau political leaders to unite around the ideals of their fight in the past, sit around the table to dialogue, and propose an Agenda for Peace, Democracy and Development.

First step will be general elections in mid-March 2014. Not holding elections, as promised to the people of Guinea-Bissau and the international community, will inevitably exacerbate the very serious problems the country is facing. I therefore call on everyone to work towards the holding of free, fair and credible elections, the formation of an inclusive, broad-based government and, together, mobilize the resources to rescue Guinea-Bissau from electricity and water shortages, extreme poverty and instability.

I wish you all happiness in this Christmas time and in advance, happy New Year.