Bissau Guinean President José Mario Vaz officially announced, on 16^th September, having tasked the majority party with choosing a new Prime Minister, in compliance with the provisions of the Constitution.

The decision to entrust the majority party with the choice of the prime minister is meant to help turn a new page on the new political which the old Portuguese colony with a history of coups d’état has been experiencing since 12^th August. This crisis broke out following the dismissal by President José Mario Vaz of his Prime Minister Domingos Simoes Pereira due to a series of disagreements between the two men on several issues, including the choice of the future Chief of Defence.

A new head of government appointed by President Vaz, Baciro Dja, was forced to resign on 9^th September by a ruling from the Supreme Court which considered his appointment as unconstitutional. The constitution dictates that the prime minister should come from the majority party, being the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC).

The head of state changed tactics shortly after the arrival of ex-Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, designated on 13^th September emissary in this crisis by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). “The president of the Republic of Guinea Bissau has just shown his love for his country, its people and its laws, including the Constitution”, Mr Obasanjo was pleased to say, announcing his intention of remaining in the country until the end of this political crisis.

The member countries of ECOWAS expressed, on 13^th September, their concern about the situation in Guinea Bissau, fearing that the political instability would jeopardise the progress made since the presidential election last year.