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The President of the Republic addressed a message of condolences to the Speaker of the People’s Parliament of Guinea Bissau, upon the passing away of the President of the Republic of Guinea Bissau, Malam Bacai Sanhá.

Following is the text of the message addressed by President Aníbal Cavaco Silva:

“Mr. Speaker,

I was deeply dismayed when hearing the news of the passing away of President Malam Bacai Sanhá. I want, on behalf of the People of Portugal and in my own personal name, to address Your Excellency, to the Guinean People and to the bereaved family, our very deepest regrets.

In this moment of mourning and pain for the people of Guinea Bissau, I would like to signal the contribution of President Malam Bacai Sanhá, in the exercise of the Highest Office in his Country, towards the narrowing of the friendship and cooperation between Portugal and Guinea Bissau, as well as to the defence of the principles and values that bind our peoples and that we share in the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries.

Malam Bacai Sanhá bequeaths a legacy of personal courage in the fight against sickness and in his political determination in battling for the values of democracy, for the preservation of the normal functioning of the institutions and respect for the constitutional order in Guinea Bissau.

I am certain that the Guinean People and their institutions, civil and military, will be able to measure up to this legacy, providing continuity in the efforts towards the consolidation of a peaceful and democratic path for social and economic development.

In this difficult moment, I want to reiterate Portugal’s firm and interested support for the efforts of Guinea Bissau on behalf of peace, consolidation of democracy and social and economic development.

Aníbal Cavaco Silva”