afrol News, 16 October - United Nations (UN) Security Council has today welcomed commitment of Guinea-Bissau to hold parliamentary elections next month and thus called on all political parties, security forces and civil society to ensure free, fair and transparent voting.

Calling on donors to continue providing financial resources to support electoral process, Council acknowledged in a presidential statement, technical support and funds already provided by international community.

Fifteen-member Council has also expressed serious concern at continued growth in drug trafficking and organised crime, which reportedly threatens peace and security in Guinea-Bissau and rest of West Africa.

"Council underlines responsibility that government of Guinea-Bissau has for tackling this issue and calls upon international community to cooperate actively with Guinea-Bissau in this regard," says statement read out by Ambassador Zhang Yesui of China, which holds rotating council presidency for October.

Mr Yesui noted that security sector reform must remain a priority for Guinea-Bissau, encouraging government to continue implementing programme it has begun in area.

Hiking food and fuel price crises and cholera epidemic were also causes of concern to Council, as it called on government and its partners to strengthen efforts to eradicate disease.

Since latest cholera outbreak emerged in May, at least 133 people across Guinea-Bissau have died and UN agencies, particularly World Health Organization (WHO) and UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) have been helping local authorities respond.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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