Security Council press statement on Guinea-Bissau

 

The following Security Council press statement on Guinea-Bissau was read out today by Council President Wang Guangya ( China):

Members of the Security Council heard a briefing on 10 July 2007 from the Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Shola Omoregie, on the situation in Guinea-Bissau, as contained in the latest Secretary-General’s report (document S/2007/401).

Members of the Security Council expressed their concern over the tense social climate and the continuing deterioration of the socio-economic and financial situation in Guinea-Bissau.

Members of the Security Council also expressed concern at the alarming increase in organized crime, drug trafficking and the proliferation of illicit small arms in Guinea-Bissau, and calls on the international community to continue to provide the necessary assistance to strengthen the security institutions and operationalize the Security Sector Reform Strategy Plan.

Members of the Security Council welcomed the formation of the new Government and expressed the hope that the political and Government stability pact will set the foundations for a genuinely inclusive reconciliation process, thereby strengthening political, parliamentary and Government stability.  They encouraged the Government to implement its commitments to ensure discipline and transparency in fiscal management and pursue a permanent and constructive dialogue with all sectors of society, in order to create a politically conducive climate for free, fair and transparent legislative elections next year.

Members of the Security Council commended the new Government for its efforts to re-establish constructive and fruitful working relations with the international financial institutions and appealed to the international community and in particular the international financial institutions to continue to support Guinea-Bissau.

Members of the Security Council recognized the importance of UNOGBIS’ [United Nations Peace-building Support Office in Guinea-Bissau] work, and expressed their resolve to continue to follow closely the situation in the country.

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For information media • not an official record