Statement [Made on Behalf of the Security Council, at the 8656th Meeting, 4 Nov. 2019, in Connection with the Council's Consideration of the Item Entitled "the Situation in Guinea-Bissau"]

S/PRST/2019/13View PDF

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

A Presidential Statement of the Security Council, under agenda item 186 The situation in Guinea-Bissau, published in 2019.

What subjects does this mandate have?

3 subjects

Guinea-Bissau Internal Security Political Conditions

What’s in this document?

12 paragraphs

At the 8656th meeting of the Security Council, held on 4 November 2019, in connection with the Council’s consideration of the item entitled “The situation in Guinea-Bissau”, the President of the Security Council made the following statement on behalf of the Council:

“The Security Council held private consultations on 31 October 2019 on the latest political developments in Guinea-Bissau.

“Expressing full support to the ECOWAS and African Union Communiques issued respectively on 29 and 30 October 2019 on the said developments, the Security Council expresses deep concern over the social and political situation and calls on President Jose Mario VAZ and the government led by Prime Minister Aristides Gomez in charge of conducting the electoral process to resolve their differences in the spirit of respect and cooperation.

“The Security Council calls on all actors in Guinea-Bissau to fully respect the ECOWAS Heads of State decision of 29 June 2019.

“The Security Council condemns the recent violence that resulted in the death of one civilian and several injured. It welcomes the decision by the government to launch an independent investigation into the matter and looks forward to its outcome.

“The Security Council urges the political actors of Guinea-Bissau to show utmost restraint, refrain from all forms of violence or incitement to hatred, and to resort to dialogue as the only means of resolving their differences and preserving peace and stability in the country.

“The Security Council encourages the political actors in Guinea-Bissau to take all appropriate measures to ensure the smooth functioning and stability of state institutions in accordance with the constitution and the principles of good governance, and to refrain from taking any actions that could provoke a relapse into political and institutional crisis.

“The Security Council seizes the opportunity to draw the attention of political actors in Guinea-Bissau to the urgent need to hold the presidential elections on 24 November 2019 as agreed, in order to conclude the electoral cycle to allow for a peaceful transition of power to an elected President.

“While recognizing the efforts deployed by all stakeholders so far towards the peaceful conduct of the presidential election, the Security Council encourages political actors in Guinea-Bissau to work together to preserve the gains of the political and electoral process, in order to strengthen the prevailing peace and stability.

“The Security Council welcomes that the defense and security forces of Guinea-Bissau are maintaining strict neutrality and avoiding interference in the political arena and urge them to continue doing so throughout and beyond the electoral and political process.

“The Security Council also reminds all actors that the Council’s possible reconsideration of the existing sanctions regime will depend on their orderly conduct as well as that of other political actors. It also reminds all stakeholders that it will consider taking appropriate measures against those who undermine stability in Guinea-Bissau in accordance with UNSC resolutions on Guinea-Bissau.

“The Security Council reiterates its strong support and commitment to the process of consolidating peace and stability, as well as the development of Guinea-Bissau, in collaboration with regional actors, and international partners, including the Group of the Five (AU, ECOWAS, CPLP, EU, UN).”

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