From Africa Recovery, Vol.16 #4 (February 2003), page 24

ECOSOC
Guinea-Bissau slated for post-war support

Guinea-Bissau is expected to become the first country to benefit from a new initiative of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to better coordinate international assistance to countries emerging from conflict. In October, the Council, one of the six main organs of the UN, set up an advisory group to assess the country's humanitarian and economic needs.

Guinea-Bissau, one of the poorest countries in West Africa, was ravaged by civil war in 1998 that displaced an estimated one-third of the population. By 1999, peace was restored and elections have since been held. But the government's inability to meet short-term social needs, the slow pace of demobilization and drought continue to threaten stability. Despite its dire financial and economic difficulties, the country currently does not have a programme with the International Monetary Fund, making it extremely hard to secure donor assistance.

The ECOSOC advisory group, chaired by South African Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo, will report back to the Council early in 2003. The initiative will seek to encourage donors to resume major assistance to Guinea-Bissau, to prevent a relapse into conflict.

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