“We now see a normalization of politics, in the Parliament, in the government, which is generally fully functioning and another important step is taken towards total normalization that will be the next November elections,” Mauro Vieira said on 26 July at the end of his two-day visit.

Mauro Vieira’s visit to Bissau aimed to obtain first-hand accounts concerning on the political situation in the country, prospects of 18 November legislative elections and the full implementation the Conakry Agreement.

“All my meetings went very well, he said, and I heard from the President of the Republic his thoughts on the current situation in the country and the measures being taken by the government for the holding of the elections on November 18.” 

With regard to the involvement of the international community in preparation of the upcoming elections, ambassador Mauro said that there is a movement of several Guinea-Bissau’s international partners to support the holding of the elections either through the PBF funds or individually from some countries. “The President told me that he brought this request to the CPLP and from the information I have from the meeting in Cape Verde, the Heads of State and Government responded positively. The Heads of State of the CPLP will see what they can do as an additional effort, but in any case, I have also heard from the government authorities and the President himself that some funds can be advanced and then be reimbursed when the resources promised by the international community are available,” Mauro Vieira explained.

During his stay in Guinea-Bissau, the Brazilian diplomat met with national authorities, bodies in charge of the organization of elections, political parties, civil society and the country’s international partners. 

Last February, the Chair of the Guinea-Bissau Configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) disclosed the support of the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) to Guinea-Bissau through the approval of six new projects, totaling $ 7.3 million, to be implemented between January 2018-June 2019, reinforcing the UN Partnership Framework with Guinea-Bissau. He also stated his opinion that support to the country should go beyond PBF-funding and include consultations with different partners, including the World Bank and other international financial institutions.