Security Council Press Statement on Guinea-Bissau
The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Elbio Rosselli (Uruguay):
The members of the Security Council expressed their deep concern over the protracted political and institutional crisis in Guinea-Bissau as a result of the inability of political stakeholders to reach a lasting and consensual solution, leading to the current gridlock.
The members of the Security Council commended the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) efforts and leadership and welcomed the visit of its high-level ministerial mission to Bissau on 23 and 24 April 2017 with the objective of assessing and evaluating the status of the implementation of the Conakry Agreement, in this regard, the members of the Council stressed the need for the continued international community’s support and engagement in supporting the regional efforts with the view to resolve the political impasse.
The members of the Council took note of the final communique of this ministerial mission and reaffirmed the centrality of the Conakry Agreement as a primary framework for the resolution of the political crisis. The Council called upon the Bissau-Guinean stakeholders to refrain from actions that could escalate tensions and incite violence and to strictly respect and comply with the Conakry Agreement and the ECOWAS road map in addressing their differences and the challenges facing their country.
The members of the Council invited the President Vaz to appoint a Prime Minister whose selection respects the provisions of the Conakry Agreement.
The members of the Council expressed concern about the situation of the civilian population in Guinea-Bissau, which is suffering the negative effects of the political crisis, and urged all political actors to put the interest of the people of Guinea-Bissau above all other consideration and, in this regard, called upon Bissau-Guinean leaders, including the President, the Speaker of Parliament and heads of political parties, to abide by their commitment to bring political stability to Guinea-Bissau in engaging in genuine dialogue, including on the constitutional review, and finding common ground for a swift resolution of the political crisis.
The Members of the Security Council recalled that the implementation of the Agreement could be a way to restore the confidence of partners and enable the international community to fulfil the pledges made during the Brussels Conference in March 2015 in support of the programme “terra ranka” and for the development of Guinea-Bissau.
The members of the Security Council commended the defence and security forces for their continued non-interference in the political situation in Guinea-Bissau, and strongly urged them to maintain the same posture.
The members of the Security Council reiterated their commitment to continue to monitor the current political crisis and expressed their readiness to take necessary measures to respond to further worsening of the situation in Guinea-Bissau.
The members of the Council commended the work of the ECOWAS security mission in Guinea-Bissau (ECOMIB) in enhancing stability in Guinea-Bissau and took note of the decision of the ECOWAS Authority to withdraw ECOMIB by 30 June 2017, starting from 28 April, and urged the international community to give all necessary support to ensure a complete and seamless transition of security architecture to the national defence and security forces.
The members of the Council recalled the important role of the Peacebuilding Commission in supporting sustainable peace in Guinea-Bissau and welcomed its active engagement with relevant stakeholders on the ground as well as with regional organizations to support efforts towards a political solution.
The members of the Council expressed deep concern over the challenges posed by international organized crime and other major threats, including drug trafficking in the country, as well as violent extremism, which can be conducive to terrorism, and terrorist threats.
The Members of the Security Council expressed their support to Special Representative Modibo Touré as well as the subregional organizations to continue to coordinate and work closely with all stakeholders for the resolution of the political crisis in Guinea-Bissau.