Security Council

6272^nd Meeting (PM)

Security Council Issues Presidential Statement Welcoming Appointment

of Transitional Government in Guinea

 

A month after leaders in Guinea signed a deal to end the political crisis sparked when Government forces killed at least 150 unarmed protesters at a rally last September, the Security Council today welcomed the appointment of the new transitional Government, and urged all Guinean stakeholders to work together in steering the West African nation towards democratic elections by July 2010.

In a statement read out by Gérard Araud (France), its President for February, the 15-nation body also welcomed the 15 January Joint Ouagadougou Declaration, which provides for the establishment of a national unity Government led by a civilian Prime Minister designated by the opposition, and the holding of elections within six months.  That accord also commits the transitional Head of State, members of the Conseil national pour la démocratie et le développement, the Prime Minister, members of the unity Government and the active defence and security forces not to stand in the forthcoming presidential election.

The Council further welcomed the appointment, on 21 January, of Jean-Marie Doré as Prime Minister, and the designation of a unity Government on 15 February.  It called on all stakeholders to implement the Joint Declaration in full, and to engage actively in the transition towards the restoration of the normal constitutional order through the holding of elections within six months.

In addition, the Council called on the international community to support the Guinean authorities, led by Interim President Sékouba Konaté and Prime Minister Doré, “including with regard to comprehensive security and justice sector reform, upon request from the Guinean authorities”.

While welcoming those recent positive developments, Council members remained concerned about the situation, recalling that they had strongly condemned the violence committed on 28 September 2009 and its aftermath.  They urged the national authorities to prevent any further violence, and to uphold the rule of law, including the promotion, protection and respect for human rights and due process, stressing their obligation towards the victims and witnesses.  The Council also emphasized the responsibility of States to comply with their obligations to end impunity.

The Council took note that the International Contact Group had invited relevant international stakeholders, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union and the Mediator, to consider deploying, as soon as possible and in consultation with the national authorities, a possible joint civil-military mission in Guinea with a view to discussing processes for defence and security sector reform, and contributing to secure conditions for the electoral process.

The meeting began at 12:47 p.m. and ended at 12:56 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2010/3 reads, as follows:

“The Security Council welcomes the recent positive developments in Guinea while remaining concerned by the situation.  It reiterates the statement of its President (S/PRST/2009/27).  It looks forward to the timely restoration of the normal constitutional order in a peaceful manner through a civilian-led transition.

“The Security Council reiterates its support for the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union.  It commends President Blaise Compaoré of Burkina Faso for his mediation efforts and welcomes the communiqués of the International Contact Group on Guinea dated 26 January 2010 and of the African Union Summit dated 3 February 2010.

“The Security Council welcomes the Joint Declaration of Ouagadougou dated 15 January 2010, which, consistent with the proposals made on 6 January by the interim President General Sekouba Konate, provides in particular for the establishment of a National Unity Government led by a civilian Prime Minister designated by the opposition, the holding of elections within six months, the commitment that the Head of State of the transition, members of the “Conseil National pour la démocratie et le développement”, the Prime Minister, members of the National Unity Government and the defence and security forces in active service will not stand in the forthcoming presidential elections.

“The Security Council welcomes further the appointment on 21 January 2010 of Mr. Jean-Marie Doré as Prime Minister and the designation of a unity Government on 15 February 2010.  It calls upon all Guinean stakeholders to implement the Joint Declaration of Ouagadougou in full, to engage actively into the transition towards the restoration of the normal constitutional order through the holding of elections within six months.  It calls upon the international community to bring its support to the Guinean authorities led by interim President Sekouba Konate and Prime Minister Jean-Marie Doré, including with regard to comprehensive security and justice sectors reform, upon request from the Guinean authorities.

“The Security Council recalls that it strongly condemned the violence committed on 28 September 2009 and its aftermath.  It urges the national authorities to prevent any further violence, and uphold the rule of law, including promotion, protection and respect for human rights and due process, and stresses their obligations towards the victims and witnesses.  It emphasizes the responsibility of States to comply with their relevant obligations to end impunity.

“The Security Council commends the work of the International Commission of Inquiry established by the Secretary-General and supported by ECOWAS and the African Union to investigate the facts and circumstances of the events of 28 September 2009 in Guinea consistent with its mandate (S/2009/556).  It takes note positively of the submission by the Commission of its report (S/2009/693).

“The Security Council takes note that the International Contact Group invited relevant international stakeholders, including ECOWAS, the African Union and the Mediator, to consider deploying, as soon as possible and in consultation with the Guinean authorities, a possible joint civil-military mission in Guinea with a view to discussing modalities for defence and security sector reform and contributing to security conditions for the electoral process.  It encourages them to plan for such a possible mission.

“The Security Council reiterates the call it made in its resolution 1888 (2009) to increase the representation of women in mediation processes and decision-making processes with regard to conflict resolution and peacebuilding.

“The Security Council expresses its intention to remain seized of the situation and to react as appropriate to any threat or action against the transition.  It requests the Secretary-General to continue to update it as appropriate on the situation on the ground, the potential implications for the subregion, the fight against impunity, the efforts of ECOWAS and the African Union, and the actions of the Secretariat of the United Nations.”

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For information media • not an official record