6/2/05
Bissau
Guinea Bissau opposition party renews support for Kumba Yala
Bissau, Guinea Bissau, 06/02 - Guinea Bissau`s main opposition Social Renovation Party (PRS) has reiterated its support for former President Kumba Yala as its candidate in the 19 June presidential election.
According to the deputy chairman of the PRS parliamentary group,Sola N`Quilin Nabitchita, the incidents of 25 May, which led to the ransacking of the PRS headquarters by enraged youths "did not reduce our capacity to compete for the presidency", whose campaigns started on 28 May.
Nabitchita claimed that Kumba Yala`s so-called attempt to occupy the president`s office in the early hours of 25 May was not the main reason why the youths attacked the PRS headquarters.
"This incident occurred because people are scared by the strength of the PRS as the election draws near. Such people believe that what they did could reduce the ability of the PRS to (win) the election," he told PANA in an interview in Bissau.
Nabitchita, an agricultural engineer turned politician, accused the ruling African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC) of failing to comprehend that in a democratic state, the right of dissent must be respected.
"We know that our democracy is still young, but we shall not just fold our arms," he said, adding that it would be wrong to blame the PRS for all the actions of its members.
Nabitchita also indicated his full backing for Kumba Yala`s decision to proclaim himself president on 15 May because all the soldiers who ousted him from power in 14 September 2003 had been excluded from the military.
"He is an elected president. He was overthrown and forced to resign from power. Since this was not voluntarily done, we deduced that this was null and void. Consequently, he is the president according to the law that authorises him to stand as a candidate," Nabitchita said.
Sola N`Quilin Nabitchita also clarified that Kumba Yala did not proclaimed himself president. "He just regained his status because someone who is elected does not proclaim himself. He is declared to be one," he explained.
"He remains our candidate. He is waiting for the election, but this does not prevent him from considering himself president of the Republic even if he is not playing that role," Nabitchita pointed out.
Kumba Yala, who ruled Guinea-Bissau from 2000 to September 2003 when he was toppled in a military coup, is one of the 14 candidates endorsed to stand in the 19 June presidential poll.
 Print  Indicate
|
|
