Buhari honored in Guinea Bissau, promises commitment to democracy

Published

2 months ago

December 8, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday reaffirmed Nigeria‘s commitment to work with Guinea Bissau and other countries to uphold and strengthen democracy and good governance in the sub-region and across the African continent.

President Buhari

President Buhari gave the assurance in the course of a one-day state visit to the embattled West African country, giving words of encouragement to the people of the country for supporting the democratically elected administration of President Umaro Sissoco He baled against threats from the undemocratic forces.

Amilcar Cabral Award

The president welcomed the awarding of the country’s highest national honor, the Amilcar Cabral Award, and the naming of a major street in Bissau, the capital, in his honor.

Guinea Bissau

Said the president: “Over the course of this one-day official visit to Bissau today, we had the opportunity to review the state of our bilateral relations and share concerns about the challenges we face in the region. I am very appreciative of having two highways named after me, as well as being awarded Guinea Bissau’s highest honor.

Guinea Bissau

“I am personally grateful to you, your government, and the people of this fine country. I believe all of this was made possible by Nigeria’s persevering position to ensure that Guinea Bissau remains on the side of Democratic Governance.

Conakry Peace Agreement

“The strong position of Nigeria through ECOWAS, in insisting and pressing for the full implementation of the Conakry Peace Agreement by imposing sanctions on nineteen (19) people who prevented the implementation of the Conakry Agreement helped to restore peace. that now prevails in Guinea Bissau.

Guinea Bissau and Nigeria

“Guinea Bissau and Nigeria have come a long way. Our cordial relations date back to the liberation struggle of Guinea Bissau from Portugal when Nigeria supported the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde.

Guinea Bissau

“Nigeria has intervened on its own, as well as through ECOWAS, at critical periods in the life of this country, making immense direct contributions and supporting international efforts in the peace process in Guinea Bissau. This fact has further strengthened our relations, improved understanding and trust between our two countries”.

Guinea Bissau

The president then congratulated the people of Guinea Bissau on joining Abhay, a name he fondly calls “the energetic and visionary President Embalo.”

He encouraged the people of Guinea Bissau to support the entrenchment of democratic values in their country, saying:

“He must always ensure that the electoral process is carried out under free and fair conditions.”

President Buhari

President Buhari concluded his speech by assuring President Embalo of Nigeria’s continued readiness to strengthen cooperation with Guinea Bissau at both the bilateral and multilateral levels.

President of Guinea Bissau

For his part, the President of Guinea Bissau praised Nigeria for always standing by his side in his 20 years of instability.

Guinea Bissau

“You have helped us with our elections. It has helped stabilize Guinea Bissau. I assure you that your support for democracy in this country and in the entire sub-region is highly appreciated by the people, who, as you have seen, ran to greet them”.

President Embalo

President Embalo assured President Buhari that he will follow in his footsteps to ensure free and fair elections in his country and will leave on time when his term ends.

He also thanked the president for assisting the country with 70 doctors who do the double duty of training Guineans and performing surgeries in the country without their citizens having to travel to Portugal.

Amilcar Cabral Award

Regarding the “Amilcar Cabral Award” given to the president and the main street called Boulevard Muhammadu Buhari, President Embalo said that the two events reflect the most solemn moment in the country and a recognition of the stabilizing role that President Buhari is playing in life of his country, as well as his defense of democracy and its values throughout the sub-region.

President Embalo

President Embalo promised to invite President Buhari back to commission the new Presidential Villa, now under construction even after leaving office, and the building will be named Muhammadu Buhari Villa.

Geoffrey Onyeama

Nigerian officials who received the country’s merit award are Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Babagana Monguno, National Security Adviser; the President’s Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari and Rufai Abubakar, the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency.