Guinea-Bissau - Moving Forward

As required by the country's Constitution, Guinea-Bissau's head of parliament, Raimundo Pereira, has been sworn into office as interim President.  The Constitution requires him to organize a Presidential election within 60 days.

But African history is rife with examples of forgone elections, particularly in times of crisis, and only time will tell whether Pereira proceeds with elections or tries to hold on to the office permanently.  That the army supports him as interim President, however, indicates the army's aim to restore constitutional order and dispels concern that the attacks were a military coup.  The African Union also believes the attacks were not a coup.

Life for residents of the capital city of Bissau is also returning to normal.  The city's streets were nearly deserted following the attacks, but sources say businesses are re-opening and shoppers are returning to the markets.