The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mahamat Saleh ANNADIF, concluded today a two-day visit to Guinea-Bissau.

The objective of this visit was to strengthen the commitment of UNOWAS and its partners to better support Guinea-Bissau in its efforts to consolidate peace and development. During this visit, Mr. ANNADIF had a series of meetings with the Bissau-Guinean authorities. He was received in audience by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló. He also met with Prime Minister, Nuno Gomes Nabiam; the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Communities, Ms. Suzi Carla Barbosa; and the President of the National Assembly, Cipriano Cassama. The Special Representative also had meetings with the main political parties represented in the parliament, as well as with P5 partners (AU, ECOWAS, CPLP, EU, UN).

While renewing the commitment of UNOWAS and its partners to support Guinea Bissau in its efforts for peace and sustainable development, ANNADIF called on Bissau-Guinean actors to favor the spirit of dialogue in order to strengthen the national consensus. "It is vital that political actors continue to talk to each other to better anchor their country in peace and stability," he added.