BISSAU, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Guinea-Bissau's newly-elected President Malam
Bacai Sanha was sworn in on Tuesday afternoon, receiving congratulations from UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UN peace official Maria Luisa Viotti.
At the inauguration ceremony, Sanha vowed to work with the government to
restore peace and stability in the country, reform the military and boost
economy, end the long-time domestic turbulence, so as to provide the people with
a stable life.
Ban on Tuesday sent his best wishes to the new president and the people of
Guinea-Bissau.
On the occasion of Sanha's inauguration, the UN chief sent his best wishes
to the president and to the people of Guinea-Bissau "as they turn a new page in
their history," a statement issued by Ban's spokesperson said.
Ban voiced his confidence that "with the support of international partners,
the people and leaders of Guinea-Bissau will continue their efforts to
strengthen democracy and foster respect for the rule of law."
Viotti, president of the commission for United Nations peace consolidation
in Guinea-Bissau, hailed the return to the constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau
on Monday.
She said she was satisfied with both the current political situation in the
West African country and its preparations for the inauguration of the new
president in the capital of Bissau.
"We think that the inauguration of the new president marks a new phase of
stability, which is the result of combined efforts of the international
community to consolidate peace in Guinea-Bissau," declared the Brazilian
diplomat.
She also pointed out that there exist great expectations in the pursuit of
the full reconciliation among the different groups in Guinea-Bissau.
"We need to take advantage of these positive impacts in order to reinforce
institutional order, so that Guinea-Bissau can have necessary conditions for
development and stability," she added.
The United Nations also unveiled programs to help Guinea-Bissau to
revitalize economy, conduct defense and security reforms and increase employment
among young people.
Sanha, the 62-year-old candidate for the ruling Independence of
Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC), won the presidential run-off on July 26,
winning 63 percent of the votes.
The election was held after President Joao Bernardo Vieira, who ruled
Guinea-Bissau for 23 years, was assassinated on March 2 in a revenge attack
hours after an explosion killed his rival, military chief of staff Batista Tagme
Na Waie.