Security Council

6089^th Meeting (AM)

SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMNS ASSASSINATIONS OF GUINEA-BISSAU’S PRESIDENT, ARMY CHIEF;

CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO BRING THOSE RESPONSIBLE TO JUSTICE

 

Presidential Statement Also Calls for Respect for Democratic Process,

Opposes Any Attempt to Change Government through Unconstitutional Means

Strongly condemning the assassinations of the President of Guinea-Bissau, Joao Bernardo Vieira, and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Tagme Na Waie, on 1 and 2 March, the Security Council today called on the Government of Guinea-Bissau to bring to justice those responsible.

In a statement read out by its President, Ibrahim O. A. Dabbashi, the Council also called on the Government, the political leaders, the Armed Forces and the people of Guinea-Bissau to remain calm, exercise restraint, maintain stability and constitutional order, and respect the rule of law and the democratic process.

It also urged all parties to resolve their disputes through political and peaceful means within the framework of its democratic institutions and opposed any attempt to change the Government through unconstitutional means.

It called on the international community to assist in preserving Guinea-Bissau’s constitutional order and to continue to support peacebuilding efforts there.

The meeting, which began at 12:08 p.m., ended at 12:13 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2009/2 reads as follows:

“1.   The Security Council condemns in the strongest terms the assassinations of the President of Guinea-Bissau, Joao Bernardo Vieira, and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Tagme Na Waie, on 1 and 2 March 2009.  It expresses its deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, and to the people and the Government of Guinea-Bissau.

“2.   The Security Council calls on the Government of Guinea-Bissau to bring to justice those responsible for these violent acts.  It calls upon the Government, the political leaders, the Armed Forces and the people of Guinea-Bissau to remain calm, exercise restraint, maintain stability and constitutional order and respect the rule of law and the democratic process.  It also urges all parties to resolve their disputes through political and peaceful means within the framework of its democratic institutions and opposes any attempt to change the Government through unconstitutional means.

“3.   The Security Council welcomes, in this regard, the statements condemning the incidents by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, the European Union and other members of the international community, and calls on al to assist in preserving the constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau and to continue to support peacebuilding efforts in the country.

“4.   The Security Council reaffirms its commitment to support the efforts of the Government and people of Guinea-Bissau to consolidate democratic institutions, peace and stability in that country.

“5.   The Security Council shall remain seized of the developments in Guinea-Bissau.”

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For information media • not an official record