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One of the losing candidates in Guinea-Bissau's
recent election says he has agreed to accept the election results. Former
President Kumba Yala still insists he won the vote, but says he is
accepting the results in the interest of peace.
After talks in Dakar with Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, former
Guinea-Bissau president Kumba Yala said late Monday he accepts the
results.
Mr. Yala says he won the election, but in the interest of democracy and
peace he accepts the results. He said the future is more important than
the present.
Election Commission results put Mr. Yala in third place behind Malam
Bacai Sanha of the ruling party and former military ruler Joao Bernardo
Vieira. No candidate won a majority, so Mr. Sanha and Mr. Vieira will face
each other in a run-off
election next month.
There were fears of violence after Mr. Yala said Sunday he would not
accept the results. International observers considered the election free
and fair. The former president has widespread support in the Guinea-Bissau
military.
Senegalese journalist Alassane Samba Diop says Mr. Yala's acceptance is
a victory for Senegal's mediation.
Mr. Diop says no one really knows what Senegalese President Wade said
to Mr. Yala to persuade him to accept the results. Mr. Yala refused to
take questions from the press, but appeared calm.
Friday, four people were killed when police opened fire to disperse a protest by Yala
supporters in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau's capital.
After Mr. Yala was ousted in a bloodless coup in 2003, the military
handed power to a transitional government. It is hoped this month's
election will restore full
democracy, following decades of political instability in
Guinea-Bissau. | 
