Japan / Emergency Grant Aid for the 2012 Presidential Election in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau

TOKYO, Japan, February 17, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- On Friday, February 17, the Government of Japan decided to provide emergency grant aid totaling about 340 thousand US dollars through the United Nations, for the purpose of supporting the fair and smooth implementation of the presidential election in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau to be held on Sunday, March 18.

In the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, which promotes democratization and national reconciliation, the upcoming election is of importance as it is to elect a new president to succeed H.E. Mr. Malam Bacai Sahna, the former President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau who passed away on January 9, 2012. The government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau has been making efforts to ensure the fair and smooth implementation of the election in cooperation with the international community. The government of Japan has long been supporting the Republic of Guinea-Bissau's efforts for stabilization and development of the country, and the assistance for this election is part of such supports.

Japan expects that the fair and smooth implementation of the presidential election will contribute to the stability in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau and West Africa.