Brazil intends to effectively influence the democratization process in Guinea Bissau, country that was on civil war until 1999, and later suffered a coup-d’état in 2003.
This Wednesday, April 13, on a visit to its capital, Bissau, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had meetings with the President and the Prime Minister, as well as with all Commissions of the Popular National Assembly.
“The President’s presence is very important to stimulate respect to norms established in the Transition Letter,” stated Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Relations, Celso Amorim, who accompanied Lula in the trip to the African continent. Since 1984, Guinea Bissau had not had the visit of any Brazilian president.
According to Amorim – who had been in that country in January, during a mission to make arrangements for this presidential trip – the objective of the trip is solely political.
There were no new agreements between the two countries, but, according to the chancellor, Brazil has cooperated with the also Portuguese-speaking partner in the combat of AIDS, as well as in the agricultural area.
An “emergency” help was offered to the local armed forces, through the donation of US$ 500 thousand to the Special Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries.
“One of the reasons for the political instability is the high impoverishment level of the armed forces,” said Amorim.
Brazilian government intends to offer long-term cooperation in the restructuring and professionalization of Guinea Bissau’s Armed Forces.
This week, Brazil has sent 750 tons of computer equipment to Guinea Bissau to assist in their next presidential election, to happen June 19th.
Agência Brasil