Last updated: 28 july, 2009 - 18:01 GMT
EU: Guinea-Bissau 'urgently needs stability'
Marco Vernaschi for the Pulitzer Centre
The West African country of Guinea-Bissau is one of the poorest nations in the world, is a base for narcotics heading to Europe and has a big crack cocaine problem.
It has suffered a series of coups and a civil war. Earlier this year the head of the armed forces was killed and, a few hours later, the president was murdered in retaliation.
But are things turning around for Guinea-Bissau? The killings led to elections being held last weekend.
And the Chief EU Observer in the country, Johan Van Hecke, is optimistic about its future:
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First broadcast 27 July 2009
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