Following is the text of the agreement signed Sunday as published by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS):

The parties to the conflict in Guinea-Bissau meeting in Abuja, Nigeria on 31 October and 1st November,1998 in the context of the efforts of the 21st summit of the authorities of heads of states and government of ECOWAS hereby agree as follows:

(1) Reaffirm the ceasefire agreement signed in Praia on 26 August, 1998.

(2) Total withdrawal from Guinea-Bissau of all foreign troops. This withdrawal shall be done simultaneously with the deployment of an ECOMOG interposition force which will take over from the withdrawn forces.

(3) Interposition force will guarantee security along the Guinea-Bissau/Senegal border, keep the warring parties apart and guarantee free access to humanitarian organisations and agencies to reach the affected civilian population. In this regard, the Oswaldo Vieira international airport and the seaport shall be opened immediately.

(4) Immediately put in place a government of national unity which will include, among others, representatives of the self-proclaimed junta in line with the agreement already reached between the parties.

(5) General and presidential elections shall be held not later than the end of March 1999. This election will be observed by ECOWAS, the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) and the international community.

Done at Abuja this 1st day of November, 1998.

Signed by President Joao Bernado Vieira (for the government of the republic of Guinea Bissau).

General Ansumane Mane (for the self-proclaimed military junta)

Witnessed by General Abdusalami Abubakar, Nigeria's head of state, for and on behalf of ECOWAS.

Gambian president Yayah Jammeh.

Koffi Panou, minister of Communications of the Togolese republic, for and on behalf of the Togolese president and chairman of ECOWAS.

Lansana Kouyate, ECOWAS executive secretary.

Professor Ibrahma Fall, assistant secretary general for political affairs for and on behalf of the UN secretary-general.

Ms Adwoa Coleman, OAU representative, for and on behalf of the OAU secretary general.

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