October 14, 2015

Guinea-Bissau swears in new government in bid to end crisis

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Wednesday 14 Oct 2015 - 13:58 Makkah mean time-1-1-1437

Bissau, (IINA) - The President of Guinea-Bissau swore in a new cabinet on Tuesday in a move to end the two-month crisis that raised fears of a renewed turmoil in the coup-prone West African country, Reuters reported.
President Jose Vaz issued a decree naming a government on Monday after talks collapsed with Prime Minister Carlos Correia over the composition of the Cabinet. Guinea-Bissau became a major transit point for smuggling after its last military coup in 2012 and some analysts are concerned that the months without governmental authority could make it easier for traffickers.
"The challenges facing this government are enormous and complex. That is why they must be tackled immediately", said Vaz during the swearing-in ceremony. 
Vaz will act as interim Minister of Internal Administration and Minister of Natural Resources until those posts are named, amid ongoing disputes over those key portfolios.
It is noteworthy that a previous attempt by Vaz to name a government by decree was overturned by the Supreme Court in September. However, the court appeared unlikely to repeat that step as the new cabinet is largely based on a list proposed by the prime minister, in line with the constitution.
Guinea-Bissau has not seen a democratically elected leader serve a full term since independence from Portugal in 1974. Vaz has pledged to reform the military, a participant in nine coups or attempted coups since 1980.
AG/IINA

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