GUINEA-BISSAU: Raimundo Pereira, former parliament speaker, was sworn in today as the country’s interim president, as dictated by the constitution. He has 60 days to set up new elections.

The army withdrew from the streets today, and many of the businesses reopened. The military spokespeople are continuing to deny a coup and to promote constitutional rule.

The new president has already reached out to Guinea-Bissau’s neighbors to help ensure the elections are fair. The local regional group ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) is expected to help.