Executive Summary

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Executive Summary GUINEA BISSAU PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS 19 June 2005 EUROPEAN UNION ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION FINAL REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY................................................................................................................ 1 II. INTRODUCTION AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................... 3 III. BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................................. 4 A. Population and Territory .................................................................................................... 4 B. Brief history of Guinea-Bissau........................................................................................... 5 C. Political Parties................................................................................................................... 7 IV. THE 2005 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION .......................................................................................... 7 A. Candidates for the Election ................................................................................................ 7 B. Analysis of the Results..................................................................................................... 10 V. LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK ..................................................................................................... 11 A. Institutional Framework ................................................................................................... 11 B. Relevant Legislation......................................................................................................... 11 C. Political Transition Charter .............................................................................................. 12 D. Assessment of legislation................................................................................................. 12 E. System of representation .................................................................................................. 12 F. International and Domestic Observers ............................................................................. 13 G. Election Complaints Mechanism...................................................................................... 13 H. Pre-election day complaints ............................................................................................. 14 VI. ELECTION ADMINISTRATION.................................................................................................... 14 A. Election Structure............................................................................................................. 14 B. The National Election Commission ................................................................................. 14 C. Training of Electoral Staff................................................................................................ 14 D. Assessment....................................................................................................................... 15 VII. VOTER REGISTRATION ............................................................................................................. 15 A. Legislation: The 2005 Register ........................................................................................ 15 B. Voter education ................................................................................................................ 16 VIII. REGISTRATION OF CANDIDATES .............................................................................................. 17 A. Overview.......................................................................................................................... 17 B. The Nomination Process .................................................................................................. 17 C. The cases of Joao Bernardo “Nino” Vieira and Koumba Yalá ........................................ 17 D. Accreditation of Candidate Representatives .................................................................... 18 IX. ELECTION CAMPAIGN............................................................................................................... 19 A. Legal Framework ............................................................................................................. 19 B. Campaign prior to the first round..................................................................................... 19 C. Campaign prior to the second round ................................................................................ 20 X. MEDIA ....................................................................................................................................... 22 A. Background ......................................................................................................................22 B. Legal Framework ............................................................................................................. 23 C. Public and Private Media ................................................................................................. 23 D. Methodology .................................................................................................................... 24 E. First Round....................................................................................................................... 24 F. Second Round .................................................................................................................. 27 XI. CIVIL SOCIETY.......................................................................................................................... 29 XII. PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN ..................................................................................................... 30 XIII. INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS ................................................................................................... 31 XIV. VOTING, COUNTING AND TABULATION OF RESULTS .............................................................. 32 A. Election Day, 19 June....................................................................................................... 32 B. Election Day, 24 July ....................................................................................................... 33 This report was produced by the EU Election Observation Mission and presents the EU EOM’s findings on the Presidential elections in Guinea-Bissau. These views have not been adopted or in any way approved by the Commission and should not be relied upon as a statement of the Commission. The European Commission does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this report, nor does it accept responsibility for any use made thereof. XV. DEMOCRATISATION .................................................................................................................. 34 A. Background for Democratization Strategies in Guinea-Bissau........................................ 34 B. Strengthening Institutional Capacity................................................................................ 36 C. Strengthening the Role of the National Popular Assembly (ANP) in Electoral Issues and Post Conflict Management............................................................................................... 36 D. Promoting Decentralisation.............................................................................................. 37 E. Gender Empowerment...................................................................................................... 37 F. Media ............................................................................................................................... 37 G. Armed Forces................................................................................................................... 38 XVI. RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................................ 38 A. Legislative Framework..................................................................................................... 38 B. Election Administration ................................................................................................... 38 C. Civic and Voter Education ............................................................................................... 39 D. Campaign ......................................................................................................................... 39 E. Media ............................................................................................................................... 39 F. Participation of Women in the Election Process .............................................................. 40 G. Civil Society..................................................................................................................... 40 H. Democratisation ............................................................................................................... 40 ANNEXES .............................................................................................................................................. 42 I. LIST OF POLITICAL PARTIES CONTESTING THE 2005 ELECTIONS WITH NAMES OF THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AND PRESIDENT OF THE PARTY .................................................... 42 II. TABLE OF REGISTERED VOTERS .............................................................................................. 43 III. RESULTS OF 2005 ELECTIONS
Recommended publications
  • Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, and Ugandacsome Attracting Intervention from Neighboring Countries
    Two Steps Forward, One Step Back? The year saw no seismic shifts for the better for human rights prospects in the continent. But in a relative sense the backdrop improved, thanks principally to the switch from military to civilian rule in Nigeria, and the successful second democratic elections in South Africa. Not surprisingly, the gloom elsewhere in the continent obscured these and a few other positive developments. But in a difficult environment, the changes, especially in Nigeria, which had been on the critical list for so long, gave some comfort. With their governments committed to human rights promotion and working jointly, Nigeria and South AfricaCwhose economic and military power by far outranked any other country in AfricaCcould provide the region with a more coherent vision of the future and a creative surge of political, economic, and cultural activity. Nigeria Back in the Thick of Things Fingers crossed, Nigeria went to the polls between December 1998 and February 1999. Few leaders had to preside over such a critical juncture of a nation=s history as President Olusegun Obasanjo when he was inaugurated as president on May 29. After being sworn into office, President Obasanjo=s first actions included sacking over 150 military officers, ordering a review of all the contracts that his predecessor signed during the year, and setting up an inquiry into human rights abuses. Even some of the fiercest critics of the governments who argued that it had yet to make lasting changes, acknowledged that there was greater individual freedom. At the international level, Nigeria regained credibility in international circles and found a new self-assurance after years of isolation as a pariah state.
    [Show full text]
  • Initial Report Submitted by Guinea Pursuant to Articles 16 and 17 of the Covenant, Due in 1990*
    United Nations E/C.12/GIN/1 Economic and Social Council Distr.: General 16 May 2019 English Original: French English, French, and Spanish only Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Initial report submitted by Guinea pursuant to articles 16 and 17 of the Covenant, due in 1990* [Date received: 29 March 2019] * The present document is being issued without formal editing. GE.19-08043 (E) 050819 060819 E/C.12/GIN/1 Contents Page Part 1: General information about Guinea ..................................................................................... 3 I. Geography ..................................................................................................................................... 3 II. Demographic, economic and social characteristics of Guinea ...................................................... 3 III. Constitutional, political and legal structure of Guinea .................................................................. 5 IV. General framework for the protection and promotion of human rights in Guinea ........................ 6 Part 2: Information on articles 1 to 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights ............................................................................................................. 12 Article 1: Right to self-determination............................................................................................ 12 Article 2: International cooperation .............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Human Rights and Constitution Making Human Rights and Constitution Making
    HUMAN RIGHTS AND CONSTITUTION MAKING HUMAN RIGHTS AND CONSTITUTION MAKING New York and Geneva, 2018 II HUMAN RIGHTS AND CONSTITUTION MAKING Requests to reproduce excerpts or to photocopy should be addressed to the Copyright Clearance Center at copyright.com. All other queries on rights and licenses, including subsidiary rights, should be addressed to: United Nations Publications, 300 East 42nd St, New York, NY 10017, United States of America. E-mail: [email protected]; website: un.org/publications United Nations publication issued by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Photo credit: © Ververidis Vasilis / Shutterstock.com The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Symbols of United Nations documents are composed of capital letters combined with figures. Mention of such a figure indicates a reference to a United Nations document. HR/PUB/17/5 © 2018 United Nations All worldwide rights reserved Sales no.: E.17.XIV.4 ISBN: 978-92-1-154221-9 eISBN: 978-92-1-362251-3 CONTENTS III CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .................................................................................. 1 I. CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS AND HUMAN RIGHTS ......................... 2 A. Why a rights-based approach to constitutional reform? .................... 3 1. Framing the issue .......................................................................3 2. The constitutional State ................................................................6 3. Functions of the constitution in the contemporary world ...................7 4. The constitution and democratic governance ..................................8 5.
    [Show full text]
  • Guinea-Bissau: Perspectives on the Up-Coming Elections
    Institute for Security Studies T E F O U R T I T S S E N I I D U S T E S Situation Report C U R I T Y Date Issued: 26 March 2004 Author: Patrícia M Ferreira1 Distribution: General Contact: [email protected] Guinea-Bissau: Perspectives on the up-coming elections Introduction Guinea-Bissau is currently living through a decisive period in its political history. Marked by governmental instability since 1998, Guinea-Bissau will hold legislative elections on 28 March 2004. According to various government bodies and the main political parties, these will be “the most important vote in the history of Guinea-Bissau”. As a background to the elections and in the context of the many political and economic challenges facing the country, this situation report will analyse the country's political evolution, as well as provide a discussion of possible outcomes of the election. Guinea-Bissau is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranked 167 th out of a total of 173 countries on the Human Development Index of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). With social indicators well below the Sub-Saharan average, almost 90% of the population lives on an income of less than US$1 a day. Although a small country of 36,120 km with a population of only 1,3 million, Guinea-Bissau is one of Africa's most diverse in ethnic and religious terms. Guinean society comprises some forty ethnic groups, which are generally classified under five headings: Balanta (30%), Fula (20%), Mandingo (13%), Papel (13%) and Manjaco (14%).
    [Show full text]
  • Systematic Country Diagnostic (Scd)
    Document of The World Bank FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Public Disclosure Authorized Report No. 106725-GB GUINEA-BISSAU TURNING CHALLENGES INTO OPPORTUNITIES FOR POVERTY REDUCTION AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH Public Disclosure Authorized SYSTEMATIC COUNTRY DIAGNOSTIC (SCD) JUNE, 2016 Public Disclosure Authorized International Development Association Country Department AFCF1 Africa Region Public Disclosure Authorized International Finance Corporation Sub-Saharan Africa Department Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to thank the following colleagues who have contributed through invaluable inputs, comments or both: Vera Songwe, Marie-Chantal Uwanyiligira, Philip English, Greg Toulmin, Francisco Campos, Zenaida Hernandez, Raja Bentaouet, Paolo Zacchia, Eric Lancelot, Johannes G. Hoogeveen, Ambar Narayan, Neeta G. Sirur, Sudharshan Canagarajah, Edson Correia Araujo, Melissa Merchant, Philippe Auffret, Axel Gastambide, Audrey Ifeyinwa Achonu, Eric Mabushi, Jerome Cretegny, Faheen Allibhoy, Tanya Yudelman, Giovanni Ruta, Isabelle Huynh, Upulee Iresha Dasanayake, Anta Loum Lo, Arthur Foch, Vincent Floreani, Audrey Ifeyinwa Achonu, Daniel Kirkwood, Eric Brintet, Kjetil Hansen, Alexandre Marc, Asbjorn Haland, Simona Ross, Marina Temudo, Pervaiz Rashid, Rasmane Ouedraogo, Charl Jooste, Daniel Valderrama, Samuel Freije and John Elder. We are especially thankful to Marcelo Leite Paiva who provided superb research assistance for the elaboration of this report. We also thank the peer reviewers: Trang Van Nguyen, Sebastien Dessus
    [Show full text]
  • Republic of Guinea-Bissau Ministry of Public Health, Family and Social Cohesion Institute for Women and Children
    Republic of Guinea-Bissau Ministry of Public Health, Family and Social Cohesion Institute for Women and Children 1st Implementation Report of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (2008 - 2018) Bissau, October TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Acronyms and Abbreviations...............................................4 I. INTRODUCTION...........................................................7 II. METHODOLOGY OF WORK. ...............................................12 2.1 Methodology for the Drafting of the Report on the Implementation of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, is based on.......................................................................................12 III. GENERAL IMPLEMENTATION OR ENFORCEMENT MEASURES……......................................14 3.1. Legislation and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child –ACRWC............... 14 a) National Legal Instruments Relating to the Rights of the Child........................................................ 15 45. (b) International legal instruments of human rights, particularly the children’s rights, to which Guinea-Bissau is a party .................................................................................................................... 16 3.2 Policy Measures, Programs and Actions for the Implementation of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.............................................................................................................17 3.3. Mechanisms for the Implementation
    [Show full text]
  • CRVA Report – Guinea-Bissau
    Country Risk and Vulnerability Ass essment GUINEA-BISSA U JUNE 2017 ECOWAS COMMISSION COMMISSION DE LA CEDEAO COMMISSÃO DA CEDEAO Country Risk and Vulnerability Assessment: Guinea-Bissau | 1 DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government. Cover photo: “Raccolta di riso” by LVIA, accessed via Flickr (https://www.flickr.com/photos/lviaong/). Reproduced under CC BY-ND 2.0. Table of Contents Acronyms and Abbreviations ................................................................................................................................... 4 Message from the President of the ECOWAS Commission .................................................................................... 6 Statement from the Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission ......................................................................... 7 Preface ...................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Executive Summary .................................................................................................................................................. 9 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................. 10 Research Process ..............................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Judicial Review Systems in West Africa: a Comparative Analysis a Comparative Africa: in West Systems Review Judicial
    Judicial Review Systems in West Africa A Comparative Analysis Judicial Review Systems West in Africa: Comparative A Analysis The legal systems in West African countries are uniquely diverse. They have their foundations in different colonial heritages and have been shaped by a great variety of customary and religious norms, which affects the design of each country’s judicial system. At the same time, the region is growing together under the umbrella of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This book compares the constitutional justice institutions in 16 West African states and analyses the diverse ways in which these institutions render justice and promote democratic development. There is no single best approach: different legal traditions tend to produce different design options. It also seeks to facilitate mutual learning and understanding among countries in the region, especially those with different legal systems, in efforts to frame a common West African system. The authors analyse a broad spectrum of issues related to constitutional justice institutions in West Africa. While navigating technical issues such as competence, composition, access, the status of judges, the authoritative power of these institutions and their relationship with other institutions, they also take a novel look at analogous institutions in pre-colonial Africa with similar functions, as well as the often-taboo subject of the control and accountability of these institutions. International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) Strömsborg, SE-103 34 Stockholm, Sweden Tel: +46 8 698 37 00, fax: +46 8 20 24 22 Email: [email protected], website: www.idea.int Hanns Seidel Foundation Lazarettstraße 33 80636 Munich, Germany Tel.: +49 89 1258-0 | Fax: -356 Email: [email protected], website: www.hss.de ISBN: 978-91-7671-052-4 Judicial Review Systems in West Africa A Comparative Analysis Judicial Review Systems in West Africa A Comparative Analysis Lead writers Markus Böckenförde Babacar Kante Yuhniwo Ngenge H.
    [Show full text]
  • The Roots of Conflicts in Guinea-Bissau
    Roots of Conflicts in Guinea-Bissau: The voice of the people Title: Roots of Conflicts in Guinea-Bissau: The voice of the people Authors: Voz di Paz Date: August 2010 Published by: Voz di Paz / Interpeace ©Voz di Paz and Interpeace, 2010 All rights reserved Produced in Guinea-Bissau The views expressed in this publication are those of the key stakeholders and do not necessarily represent those of the sponsors. Reproduction of figures or short excerpts from this report is authorized free of charge and without formal written permission provided that the original source is properly acknowledged, with mention of the complete name of the report, the publishers and the numbering of the page(s) or the figure(s). Permission can only be granted to use the material exactly as in the report. Please be aware that figures cannot be altered in any way, including the full legend. For media use it is sufficient to cite the source while using the original graphic or figure. This is a translation from the Portuguese original. Cover page photo: Voz di Paz About Voz di Paz “Voz di Paz – Iniciativa para Consolidação da Paz” (Voice of Peace – An initiative for the consolidation of Peace) is a Bissau-Guinean non-governmental organization (NGO) based in the capital city, Bissau. The Roots of Conflicts in Guinea-Bissau: The mission of Voz di Paz is to support local actors, as well as national and regional authorities, to respond more effectively to the challenges of consolidating peace and contribute to preventing future conflict. The approach promotes participation, strengthens local capacity and accountability, The voice of the people and builds national ownership.
    [Show full text]
  • Cape Verde Islands, C. 1500–1879
    TRANSFORMATION OF “OLD” SLAVERY INTO ATLANTIC SLAVERY: CAPE VERDE ISLANDS, C. 1500–1879 By Lumumba Hamilcar Shabaka A DISSERTATION Submitted to Michigan State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of History- Doctor of Philosophy 2013 ABSTRACT TRANSFORMATION OF “OLD” SLAVERY INTO ATLANTIC SLAVERY: CAPE VERDE ISLANDS, C. 1500–1879 By Lumumba Hamilcar Shabaka This dissertation explores how the Atlantic slave trade integrated the Cape Verde archipelago into the cultural, economic, and political milieu of Upper Guinea Coast between 1500 and 1879. The archipelago is about 300 miles off the coast of Senegal, West Africa. The Portuguese colonized the “uninhabited” archipelago in 1460 and soon began trading with the mainland for slaves and black African slaves became the majority, resulting in the first racialized Atlantic slave society. Despite cultural changes, I argue that cultural practices by the lower classes, both slaves and freed slaves, were quintessentially “Guinean.” Regional fashion and dress developed between the archipelago and mainland with adorning and social use of panu (cotton cloth). In particular, I argue Afro-feminine aesthetics developed in the islands by freed black women that had counterparts in the mainland, rather than mere creolization. Moreover, the study explores the social instability in the islands that led to the exile of liberated slaves, slaves, and the poor, the majority of whom were of African descent as part of the Portuguese efforts to organize the Atlantic slave trade in the Upper th Guinea Coast. With the abolition of slavery in Cape Verde in the 19 century, Portugal used freed slaves and the poor as foot soldiers and a labor force to consolidate “Portuguese Guinea.” Many freed slaves resisted this mandatory service.
    [Show full text]
  • Local Infrastructures for Peace in Guinea-Bissau
    The ultra-Orthodox women visit the Rabin Center and look at a wall with graffiti that was done by youth the week after the assassination of Prime Minister Rabin. Photo credit: Base for Discussion (B4D) Members of the RSD in Gabú together with their partners from Voz di Paz Peacebuilding in Practice #3: LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURES FOR PEACE IN GUINEA-BISSAU: The contribution of the Regional Spaces for Dialogue to Peacebuilding Peacebuilding in Practice # 3: Local Infrastructures for Peace in Guinea-Bissau: The contribution of the Regional Spaces for Dialogue to Peacebuilding All rights reserved, Interpeace and Voz di Paz 2015 Interpeace takes sole responsibility for the information and the opinions expressed in this document. Total or partial reproduction is authorized on condition that the source is acknowledged. Peacebuilding in Practice #3: 3 Local Infrastructures for Peace in Guinea-Bissau Peacebuilding in Practice # 3: Local Infrastructures for Peace in Guinea-Bissau: The contribution of the Regional Spaces for Dialogue to Peacebuilding Summary In 2007, Interpeace and its partner, the national NGO, Voz di Paz (Voice of Peace), established 10 permanent dialogue groups all over the country. By assisting the population in conflict management, these Regional Spaces for Dialogue (RSDs) made a critical contribution to peacebuilding in Guinea-Bissau. Since 2011, they have resolved more than 200 local conflicts by using dialogue as a tool for the peaceful management of conflict related to insecurity, bad governance, religion and violence against women, among other issues. In a number of cases, the RSDs invite the population and State representatives at the local level to find common solutions to their problems.
    [Show full text]
  • Fostering Constitutionalism in Africa
    Fostering Constitutionalism in Africa Charles Fombad and Christina Murray (editors) 2010 Fostering Constitutionalism in Africa Published by: Pretoria University Law Press (PULP) The Pretoria University Law Press (PULP) is a publisher at the Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, South Africa. PULP endeavours to publish and make available innovative, high-quality scholarly texts on law in Africa. PULP also publishes a series of collections of legal documents related to public law in Africa, as well as text books from African countries other than South Africa. This book was peer-reviewed prior to publication. For more information on PULP, see www.pulp.up.ac.za Printed and bound by: ABC Press Cape Town To order, contact: PULP Faculty of Law University of Pretoria South Africa 0002 Tel: +27 12 420 4948 Fax: +27 12 362 5125 [email protected] www.pulp.up.ac.za Cover: Yolanda Booyzen, Centre for Human Rights ISBN: 978-09814420-8-2 © 2010 Réseau Africain de Droit Constitutionnel African Network of Constitutional Lawyers This book is the first in the ‘Rule of Law in Africa’ series and the financial assistance of the World Bank is gratefully acknowledged. TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE DES MATIÈRES INTRODUCTION v CONTRIBUTORS xiv Presidential term limits and their impact on 1 1 constitutionalism in Africa Les limites du mandat présidentiel et leurs 183 impacts sur le constitutionnalisme en Afrique Charles Fombad and/et Nat Inegbedion Is the end near for the political question doctrine 31 2 in Nigeria? Est-ce bientôt la fin de la doctrine de la 215 question
    [Show full text]