SECRETARY-GENERAL VERY CONCERNED AT HEIGHTENED TENSIONS IN GUINEA-BISSAU;

URGES NEGOTIATED SOLUTION TO DIFFERENCES

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is very concerned at the heightened tensions in Guinea-Bissau following the killing of the country’s former Navy Chief, Commodore Lamine Sanha, on 4 January 2007.  He is particularly distressed by the loss of life that occurred following the intervention of the security forces during protests against the killing.

The Secretary-General urges the Government and political leaders to exercise utmost restraint and to focus on development and reconciliation.  He urges the people of Guinea-Bissau not to take the law into their own hands.  And he strongly encourages all national stakeholders to find negotiated solutions to their differences and to avoid allowing impunity to prevail.

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For information media • not an official record