GUINEA BISSAU SPEAKER DISCLOSES COUNTRY’S PLANS FOR PEACE

By Muhammad Bah The speaker of Guinea Bissau’s Parliament, Mr. Cipriano Cassama visited the Gambia National Assembly where he disclosed his country’s new plans to transform to a nation of stability and progress as wanted by its people and well wishers. His Excellency Hon. Cassama said there is preparation for a National Reconciliation conference in progress under the guardianship of the Guinean parliament and is sponsored by the newly elected president. He said: “we want to convene this conference this year or the latest during the first 3 months of the year 2015.” He further informed that they would invite the Gambian parliament to take part in this conference and that he is counting on the strong support of the Gambia’s parliament. His Excellency Cassama said peace, political and institutional stability have continued to represent a moral and political challenge to Guinea Bissau. According to Cassama, once the transitional period had completed in Bissau and organs of sovereign democratic elections are in place, they now look to affirm peace and stability in Guinea Bissau. He said they would not slow down their efforts to consolidate peace which he admits is still shaky; adding they are strengthening their public institutions which he said are too weak. According to Hon. Cassama, Guinea Bissau has difficulties to overcome the free circulation of peoples and goods within the Ecowas space and this is not helping the commercial and cultural growth that Banjul and Bissau desired. However, he expressed optimism that the hindrance would be overcomed. In his remarks at the ceremony, Hon. Abdoulie Bojang, the Speaker of the Gambia National Assembly, said his colleagues’ visit to the Gambia expressed the desire and gratitude of the Bissau-Guinean people and Lawmakers for the support of the Government and people of the Gambia. He said the relationship between the two countries was manifested during the liberation war of Guinea Bissau from 1963 to 1974 when prominent Gambians like Late Yafaye Camara and the late General Ansumane, the former defense chief of Guinea Bissau played their part in liberating that country. He recalled the treaty of friendship between the Gambia and Guinea Bissau in 1991. He concluded by asserting that the relationship of the two states would be further strengthened.]]>