Guinea-Bissau Military Pledges No Interference in Elections
By VOA News
23 October 2008
Guinea-Bissau's armed forces chief has pledged that the military will not interfere with legislative elections set for next month.
General Tagme Na Waie told a local newspaper, Ultima Hora, that involvement in the political process by members of the armed forces would not be tolerated.
Na Waie said any soldier caught supporting any politicians will be judged and expelled from the army.
The general promised the impartiality of the military in Guinea-Bissau's political process. He also criticized the media, which he said have characterized the military as a destabilizing force in the West African nation.
The military has staged several coups in Guinea-Bissau since the country won independence from Portugal in 1974. Na Waie said that is in the past.
Earlier this month, the U.N. Security Council urged the nation's political parties, civil society and security forces to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP.
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