afrol News, 22 February - The United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon will soon be asked to declare the war-ravaged country of Guinea-Bissau eligible for an initial UN fund set up for countries that emerge from conflict.

Guinea-Bissau has become the third country to come under the spotlight of the UN Peacebuilding Commission after Sierra Leone and Burundi. These countries are expected to receive advice and support from the commission established two years back to bail out post-conflict nations from collapsing.

The Chairperson of the commission's Guinea-Bissau configuration, Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro

Viotti of Brazil, told a UN meeting in New York that the West African country is in dire need of the grant to recover from the damages caused by political instability.

Guinea-Bissau's Prime Minister, Martinho N'Dafa Cabi, explained his country's commitment to the post-conflict conflict. However, he said the country needs support to address problems relating to security, fiscal management, fight against rampant drug trafficking, reducing high youth employment and organisation of elections.

The Secretary-General's Special Representative for Guinea-Bissau, Shola Omoregie, said it was about time that Bissau's gains and efforts are reinforced.

“The Peacebuilding Commission’s engagement with Guinea-Bissau will be an added impetus for making irreversible the transition from post-conflict reconstruction to peace consolidation, and thereby yielding concrete dividends in political stability and socio-economic development,” Omoregie said, advising Bissau government to work closely with the international community to effective implementation and monitoring of projects.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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