News
Presidential elections underway in Guinea-Bissau
“We want to give people hope who have lost hope, and intensify the combat against corruption and against the drug traffickers,” said Arthur Sagna, deputy campaign manager for candidate Kumba Yala, a former president who was overthrown in a 2003 coup.
With Guinea-Bissau often described as a failed state and with coups so prevalent, many seemed relieved to simply be able to vote in Sunday’s election. After Sanha’s death on January 9, there were worries that the military might seize power.
“The vote is proceeding well,” said diplomat Marcello Antonio Santos, 54, who works at the ministry of foreign affairs as he waited to vote on Sunday. “There have been no disturbances. It’s a very good thing for our democracy.”
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press
