FACTBOX-Candidates in Guinea-Bissau's presidential run-off

Tue Jul 7, 2009 10:08am EDT

DAKAR, July 7 (Reuters) - Relief that Guinea-Bissau managed a peaceful vote to replace its slain leader is being quickly replaced by fears of a turbulent run-off between two candidates unlikely to offer the nation a desperately-needed fresh start.

Having won the first round, Malam Bacia Sanha, candidate for the PAIGC ruling party, will go into the July 26 run off as the strong favourite to beat second placed Kumba Yala, who analysts say will struggle to better his first round score of 30 percent.

For ANALYSIS on the political situation, click [ID:nL3286343]

Here are some facts about the two candidates:



MALAM BACAI SANHA, 62

- Sanha is from a branch of the Mandinga tribe and is a veteran member of the ruling African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC).

- He was governor in several regions and served as a minister in several governments before becoming President of the National Assembly in 1994.

- In the aftermath of the 1998-1999 war, which led to the end of the late President Joao Bernardo "Nino" Vieira's first stint in power, Sanha was appointed interim president. - Although he had the support of the junta that emerged victorious from the war, Sanha lost to Kumba Yala in a post-war presidential run-off in January 2000.

- This time, however, Sanha will go into the run-off as firm favourite, having won nearly 40 percent of the vote in the first round on June 28 and with the legacy of Yala's disastrous period in power strongly in his favour.

- The PAIGC scored well in November 2008 parliamentary elections but there are some divisions within the party, with Sanha only just winning its nomination over current interim President Raimundo Pereira.

- Even if there are questions over his health, he is the more likely to collect the votes of other candidates, especially independent Henrique Rosa, who won just over 24 percent in the first round.



KUMBA YALA, 56

- Yala was born into a farming family in the Cacheu region and has been in and out of power, largely thanks to the unquestioning support of his fellow Balante.

- He studied theology, law and philosophy and speaks numerous languages, including Portuguese, Creole, Spanish, French and English. He can also read Latin, Greek and Hebrew.

- Although initially a member of the PAIGC, he fell out with the party when he called for reforms in the late 1980s and eventually formed his Social Renewal Party (PRS) in 1992.

- Yala took part in Guinea-Bissau's first multi-party election in 1994, coming second to Vieira in the run-off. His complaints of fraud and intimidation were rejected by the Supreme Court.

- Yala was more successful in the elections organised after the 1998-1999 war, defeating Sanha in the 2000 run-off.

- But his time in power was marked by erratic behaviour and poor economic management. Moves to hand out army promotions to fellow members of his Balante tribe led to fighting within the military. Rumours of coup plots were widespread.

- Yala dissolved parliament in 2002 and tried to organise early elections but was ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2003 before he could do so.

- Yala continued to play a role in politics, despite a ban on him doing so, contesting the 2005 election, during which he briefly seized the presidential palace with armed men and his supporters clashed with police when the results were announced.

- Since then, Yala has been in and out of exile in Senegal and Morocco, retaken the leadership of his PRS party after facing stiff internal competition and, last year, converted to Islam. (Writing by David Lewis)




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