Comment by the Information and Press Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the organisation of general elections in Guinea-Bissau

Presidential and parliamentary elections were held in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau (RGB) on the 13 April.

According to the assessments by the Head of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, José Ramos-Horta, and other international observers, these elections were peaceful, inclusive, transparent and democratic. According to the preliminary data, over 70% of voters participated in the voting. The expression of the free will of RGB's nationals closed the books on the two year transitional period of the country's development after the coup d'état of 12 April 2012.

Moscow welcomes the organisation of this electoral process in Guinea-Bissau and expresses a hope that the renewal of constitutional bodies will continue in the second round of presidential elections. The creation of legitimate authorities will open up the possibility for the renewal of RGB's status as a rightful member of the world community, cancellation of a sanctions regime and renewal of trade and economic ties fully for the benefit of the people of this traditionally friendly country.

15 April 2014