afrol News, 4 March - Guinea Bissau’s speaker of parliament Raimundo Pereira was sworn in as the country’s interim president on Tuesday, just a day after the assassination of the President Joao Bernardo Vieira. In line with the country's constitution, the new president is required to call for elections within two months.

President Vieira was shot dead by soldiers who blamed him for a bomb attack that killed the army chief General Tagme Na Waie on Sunday.

Mr Pereira said Guinea-Bissau was facing a very delicate situation, urging the lawmakers to assume their responsibility toward the nation in ensuring calm and the rule of law.

"For the past decade, no president has ever finished his term," Mr Pereira said also calling for international assistance to return the country to constitutional normalcy.

The 15 member United Nations Security Council has outrightly condemned assassinations of both leaders, pledging to support the efforts of the government and people of Guinea-Bissau to consolidate democratic institutions, peace and stability in that country.

The council has further opposed attempts by armed forces to seize power and any other unconstitutional means.

Guinea-Bissau has suffered multiple coups and attempted coups since 1980, when Vieira himself assumed power in one. He was forced out 19 years later at the onset of the country's civil war and returned from exile in Portugal to run successfully in the country's 2005 presidential election.

The late President Vieira had always had a tense relationship with the army. He ordered a recruitment of a 400-strong personal bodyguards that were accused of opening fire on the army commander in January, sparking further tensions between his government, the security and the national troops.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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