Political parties in Guinea-Bissau agreed on Tuesday to hold elections on June 28 to replace the country’s assassinated president.
The decision to hold the elections within 120 days is twice the length of time prescribed by the Constitution after a president’s death.
After a six-hour meeting with the heads of the top political parties, Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Jr emerged to announce that the parties had reached a consensus on the date.
Political leaders added the extra time to enable the $4,6-million needed for organising the election to be raised. Gomes previously said the extra time was needed to create political stability.
President Joao Bernardo ”Nino” Vieira was shot dead on March 1, just hours after his longtime rival, the head of the armed forces, was killed by a bomb.
A former Portuguese colony, Guinea-Bissau has a long history of instability with numerous coups and attempted coups, most of which were led by the army.
Analysts were surprised that the army did not seize power after the back-to-back assassinations. Instead, the head of Parliament was sworn in as interim president — as called for by the Constitution — raising hopes that the tragedy could lead to a peaceful and democratic transfer of power. — Sapa-AP