Guinea Bissau — The ECOWAS Commission has learnt with regret and deep sorrow of the passing away in Paris, France, of Malam Bacai Sanha, President of Guinea Bissau, on Monday, 9 January 2012.

The President of the Commission would like, on behalf of the ECOWAS Institutions, to express his heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the family, Government and people of Guinea Bissau for the irreparable loss of this patriot and statesman. President Bacai Sanha dedicated his entire life to the liberation and nation- building of his beloved country, Guinea Bissau.

He took office as a democratically-elected President in September 2009 at a most difficult period in the life of the young nation, and provided exemplary leadership that contributed in no small measure to the stabilization of the political situation.

During his presidency, President Bacai Sanha also took great interest in the fate and fortunes of ECOWAS, and was a regular participant in the high-level meetings of the Authority, in which he made invaluable contributions.

On this sad occasion, the President of the ECOWAS Commission would like to respectfully call on all citizens of Guinea Bissau to pay homage and merited tribute to the memory of the late Sanha by fostering greater national cohesion and understanding, and ensuring a peaceful transition as the country goes through the constitutional process of selecting a new President. H. E. James Victor Gbeho Abuja, 10 January 2012