SECURITY COUNCIL PRESS STATEMENT ON GUINEA-BISSAU

 

The following Security Council press statement on Guinea-Bissau was read out today by Council President Baki İlkin ( Turkey):

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the killing in Guinea-Bissau on 5 June 2009 of Baciro Dabo, one of the candidates on the coming presidential elections of 28 June 2009 and Helder Proença, a former Minister of Defence, and two of his bodyguards.  They expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and people of Guinea-Bissau.

The members of the Security Council called on the Government of Guinea-Bissau to bring to justice those responsible for these violent acts.  They stressed the importance of national reconciliation and the fight against impunity in Guinea-Bissau.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deep concern over the resurgence of political violence, which constitutes a tragic setback to efforts to restore peace and stability, as well as the rule of law and democratic process in the country.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their call to the Government, the political leaders, the Armed Forces and people of the Guinea-Bissau to exercise restraint, maintain stability and constitutional order, and respect the rule of law and the democratic process.  They call them to ensure that these events will not disrupt the electoral process.

The members of the Security Council welcomed in this regard the statements condemning the incident by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union, the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) and the European Union.

The members of the Security Council called on the international community to work closely with the Government of Guinea-Bissau, and regional and subregional organizations to support the investigations into the pattern of killings of high profile personalities in Guinea-Bissau for effective and transparent inquiries, and to ensure that the necessary conditions are put in place for the holding of free, fair and transparent presidential elections, which is a key to peace and stability in the country.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their full support to the consolidation of peace in Guinea-Bissau.

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For information media • not an official record