Timor-Leste Support Mission to the Electoral Process in Guinea-Bissau begins phase one
The Mission to Support the Electoral Process in Guinea-Bissau held its first visit to the country on 11 and 12 of September in the context of preparation for the elections on 18 November 2018.
The Timorese mission is headed by Tomás Cabral, who was appointed as Special Representative of the Government of RDTL to the Republic of Guinea-Bissau to proceed with the identification of the needs of this State for the holding of free and democratic elections. Timor-Leste provided support to Guinea Bissau in the 2014 elections, contributing to ensure that the electoral process - especially the electoral registration phase, which is crucial for credible democratic results, was conducted in a fair, transparent and nationally and internationally recognized manner.
The Special Representative met with Guinean Prime Minister Aristides Gomes at the headquarters of the Timor-Leste Cooperation Agency (ACTL) in Guinea-Bissau to discuss the response of the Government of Timor-Leste to the Government's request of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau to support this year's legislative elections.
At the meeting, the Head of Government thanked the Timorese Government for its readiness to assist Guinea Bissau in the electoral process and thanked Timor-Leste for its support during the 2014 elections, contributing to the stabilization of the country. During the meeting Tomás Cabral delivered a letter from Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, to his Guinean counterpart.
After the meeting at ACTL Tomás Cabral, Aristides Gomes and the remaining delegation visited the Technical Support Office for the Electoral Process (GTAPE) to see the equipment delivered by Timor-Leste for the electoral process of 2013/2014.
Tomás Cabral also visited the President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, José Mário Vaz, to discuss the electoral process in 2018. The Guinean President expressed his deep gratitude to the Timorese people, who is already in solidarity with his brother country. José Mário Vaz also presented compliments to former President of the Republic of Timor-Leste, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, and to all Timor entities for their support in the last elections and well as the support given for the 2018 electoral process.
The Special Representative of Timor-Leste also met with the Minister of Territorial Administration of Guinea-Bissau, Ester Fernandes, with the General Director GTAPE and with General Biague Na N'Tam to discuss technical issues related to the organization of the electoral process. Tomás Cabral also paid a courtesy visit to the former chief of staff of the Guinea-Bissau Armed Forces, António Indjai.
Before returning to Timor-Leste, Tomás Cabral met with the G7 + Secretary General Helder da Costa in Lisbon on 13 September to discuss the preparations for the electoral process in Guinea Bissau under the CPLP and the G7 +.
