UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is concerned over the dismissing of the government in Guinea-Bissau and has called on all political stakeholders to abide by existing governance arrangements, his press office said Wednesday.
Guterres "is following with serious concern the unfolding developments in Guinea-Bissau following the decrees issued on Oct. 28 and 29 by President Jose Mario Vaz dismissing the government and appointing a new prime minister," the office said in a statement.
He called on all political stakeholders to abide by the decisions taken by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regarding the governance arrangements in Guinea-Bissau until the presidential election on Nov. 24, it said.
Guterres was also saddened by the death of one person reportedly following a recent demonstration. He looks forward to the conclusion of the independent inquiry announced by the ministry of interior, according to the statement.
Guinea-Bissau has been mired in constant political instability since 2015, when Vaz dismissed then Prime Minister Domingos Simoes Pereira, his main political rival.
On Monday night, Vaz dissolved the government led by Prime Minister Aristides Gomes in a presidential decree, but was rejected by Gomes.
The ECOWAS has been attempting to mediate in the political struggle between the government and Vaz.
