The Guinea-Bissau Configuration of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) welcomes the final statement of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) with respect to the unfolding situation in Guinea-Bissau, at the conclusion of its 49th Heads of State Ordinary Conference held on 4 June in Dakar, Senegal. 

The PBC welcomes the decision by ECOWAS leaders to designate a presidential delegation constituted by the Heads of State of Guinea, Senegal and Sierra Leone to meet and conduct discussions with those involved in the political crisis in Guinea Bissau, with a view to overcoming the current impasse.  The PBC expresses its satisfaction regarding the decision to extend the mandate of the ECOWAS Mission in Bissau (ECOMIB), for one year.  The PBC encourages full coordination among all mediation efforts from regional partners and United Nations representatives at the regional level and in Bissau. The PBC supports the timely call by ECOWAS to initiate consultations for convening a meeting of the International Contact Group (ICG) for Guinea-Bissau in the near future.
In the current situation, coordinated international diplomatic initiatives are key to encourage renewed efforts by political actors in Guinea Bissau to find a consensual common ground through dialogue, which can to put an end on the ongoing political impasse and spare the country any risk of violence and prevent further instability.
The PBC avails itself of its expertise based on a long term engagement with Guinea-Bissau, as well as of its political platform to advocate for measures aimed at overcoming the country’s present crisis toward stability and economic, social and institutional progress. In this connection, the PBC underscores its readiness to work closely with international partners, in particular the International Financial Institutions, and national and international stakeholders in Guinea-Bissau in order to refocus political and financial support for the country, in accordance with the peacebuilding priorities established in the development programme ‘Terra Ranka’, and seeking to facilitate the maintenance of international support to most vulnerable populations.