UN Security Council urges Guinea-Bissau to find solution to political crisis

4 September 2016 - Expressing a serious concern over the ongoing political impasse in Guinea-Bissau, the United Nations Security Council today urged leaders in the West African country to find a solution to the crisis, and ensure a functioning government.

A delay in the adoption of the government programme and budget amid the political wrangling has affected government services.

In a press statement, the Security Council “urged national actors to abide by the Constitution and the rule of law, while striving to find a political solution to the crisis through good-faith dialogue” and also “urged the security forces of Guinea-Bissau to maintain their non-interference in the political situation, to continue the restraint shown in this regard, and maintain respect for civilian control.”

The 15-member body stressed the urgent need to ensure a functioning government and welcomed the ongoing dialogue among key national stakeholders, including between the Party for African Independence of Guinea and Cade Verde (PAIGC) and the Party for Social Renewal (PRS). The Council further urged them to work towards that end and underlined the importance of ensuring stability throughout the current parliamentary term.

The release of the press statement followed a briefing on 30 August by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS), Modibo Ibrahim Touré, who updated the Council members on the latest developments in the country.

Recalling the decision by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on 4 June 2016 to designate a presidential mission to Guinea-Bissau comprising the Heads of State of Guinea, Senegal and Sierra Leone, the Council reiterated its support for the decision and stressed the urgency of the deployment of such a mission.

The Council further welcomed the renewal of the mandate of the ECOWAS Mission in Guinea-Bissau bearing in mind its important role in maintaining stability in the country.

The Council welcomed the joint efforts by international partners to enhance cooperation in support of the Government of Guinea-Bissau.

The Council encouraged international partners, in particular the United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, European Union and the Community of Portuguese-language Speaking Countries, to continue working together towards the country's stabilization and the building of strong and credible institutions in accordance with the key structural reforms in the defence, security and justice sectors.

In this regard, the Council acknowledged the role of the Peacebuilding Commission in enhancing these efforts to support the long-term peacebuilding, including institution-building, priorities of Guinea-Bissau.