Security Council

6924^th Meeting (AM)

Security Council Extends Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau for Three Months,

 

to Allow Time for Assessment of Situation, Possible Change in Mandate

 

Adopts Resolution 2092 (2013) Unanimously,

Requests Recommendations on Mandate from Secretary-General by 30 April

Stressing that the complex situation facing Guinea-Bissau undermined the smooth functioning of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office there (UNIOGBIS), as well as that of the Peacebuilding Commission, the Security Council today extended the mission’s current mandate for just three months to give the Secretary-General time to assess the situation on the ground and make recommendations, by 30 April, on its possible realignment.

Through unanimous adoption of resolution 2092 (2013), considered in the wake of a briefing on developments earlier this month (Press Release SC/10907 of 5 February), the Council expressed its serious concern about the situation in the West African country since the military coup of 12 April 2012, and deplored the continued lack of effective civilian control and oversight over the defence and security forces.

In that connection, it reiterated its demand to the Armed Forces to submit themselves fully to civilian control.

The Council called on Guinea-Bissau stakeholders to deepen the internal political dialogue with the aim of holding free, fair and transparent elections and a rapid return to constitutional order and long-term stabilization.

In a related provision, it asked the Secretary-General to continue to work through key partners on the dialogue process among political parties towards the early finalization of a broader political agreement for that purpose.

Further to the text, the Council condemned violations of political and civil rights and urged the authorities to take all necessary measures to protect those rights and initiate investigations to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

The Council urged civilian and military officials to, among other things, demonstrate commitment to effectively combat drug trafficking and expressed its willingness to consider further action against those involved in that crime and organized crime overall.

Explaining his position after the vote, Guatemala’s Ambassador, Gert Rosenthal, said he had supported the text based on the importance his delegation attached to UNIOGBIS and due to the need for the political situation to move in the “correct direction”, in particular, to return to a constitutionally elected government.  He had agreed to extend the mandate by three months as that provided an opportunity for a new assessment of the situation and of the mission’s role.

Notwithstanding that support, he said he had some difficulties with preambular paragraph 7, concerning the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for implementation of the security sector road map.  He had not wished to stand in the way of the resolution’s adoption, which he endorsed as a whole, but for the record, he had some difficulties with the text.  It took note of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, but he had a problem taking note of a document whose contents had not been shared with all members.

Since the military coup, he said, Guatemala had participated actively in the discussions.  Also, given his country’s history, it had “zero tolerance” for the absence of a constitutionally elected government.  He thus supported the Council’s decision to continue its consideration of the matter.  He hoped for a speedy resumption of the electoral process and restoration of a legitimate government.

The meeting began at 10:07 a.m. and was adjourned at 10:13 a.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 2092 (2013) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling its previous resolutions, statements of its President and press statements on the situation in Guinea-Bissau, in particular resolutions 2030 (2011) and 2048 (2012),

“Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on Guinea-Bissau, dated 11 January 2013 (S/2013/26) and the recommendations contained therein, and welcoming the activities undertaken by the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS), despite the political and security challenges in the field,

“Remaining seriously concerned about the situation in Guinea-Bissau since the military coup of 12 April 2012, that undermined the conclusion of the democratic electoral process in Guinea-Bissau,

“Stressing that the consolidation of peace and stability in Guinea-Bissau can only result from a consensual, inclusive and nationally owned transition process, the restoration and respect for constitutional order, the reforms in the defence, security and justice sectors, the promotion of the rule of law, the protection of human rights, the promotion of socioeconomic development and the fight against impunity and drug trafficking,

“Taking note of the recent positive political developments in Guinea-Bissau and of the intention of key stakeholders to revise the transitional political pact including setting technically feasible deadlines for the holding of free, fair and transparent presidential and legislative elections in line with national legislation and relevant international standards,

“Deploring the continued lack of effective civilian control and oversight over the defence and security forces, which hampers the political process and effective functioning of State institutions,

“Stressing the importance of security sector reform (SSR) as a crucial element for long-term stability in Guinea-Bissau, welcoming the efforts of ECOWAS to support the SSR process in Guinea-Bissau and in this regard, taking note of the signing on 7 November 2012 of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for implementation of the SSR road map, while reiterating the need for coordinated action by all relevant regional and international partners of Guinea-Bissau in this field;

“Expressing serious concern by reports of continuing serious violations of human rights, including political and civil rights, as well as the atmosphere of tension in Guinea-Bissau,

“Reiterating its deep concern at the reported increasing in drug trafficking in Guinea-Bissau since the military coup of 12 April 2012 and urging both the civilian and military leadership in Guinea-Bissau and international partners to demonstrate greater commitment to combat drug trafficking,

“Reiterating the importance of the continued support of the United Nations and regional and bilateral partners for the long-term security and development of Guinea-Bissau, particularly towards the restoration of constitutional order, the implementation of security and justice sectors reforms, the fight against drug trafficking, organized crime and human trafficking as well as the creation of enabling environment for good governance and inclusive social and economic development,

“Reaffirming the need for active and close coordination of all partners of Guinea-Bissau to address existing political, security and development challenges and welcoming in this regard, the joint mission of the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP), the European Union (EU) and the United Nations which took place in Bissau from 16 to 21 December 2012, in order to assess the political and security situation in the country, and to formulate recommendations,

“Stressing that the complex situation facing Guinea-Bissau has undermined the smooth implementation of the mandate conferred by the Council to the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS), pursuant to resolution 2030 (2011), as well as activities of the Peacebuilding Commission and considering in this regard, the need expressed by the Secretary-General to realign the United Nations system’s activities in the areas of state-building and peacebuilding,

“Welcoming the appointment of Mr. José Ramos Horta as the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Guinea-Bissau and reiterating its gratitude for the work of the previous Special Representative of the Secretary-General Joseph Mutaboba for the past four years,

“Reaffirming its full commitment to the consolidation of peace and stability in Guinea-Bissau:

“1.   Decides to extend the current mandate of UNIOGBIS until 31 May 2013;

“2.   Requests the Secretary-General to report at the latest by 30 April 2013 to provide an assessment of the situation in Guinea-Bissau and to make recommendations with respect to the Mission’s mandate and a possible readjustment of the support of the United Nations, taking into account the scope of the challenges, and the recommendations of the joint international mission (AU, ECOWAS, CPLP, EU and United Nations);

“3.   Requests the Secretary-General to continue to work through UNIOGBIS, in coordination with other partners, including ECOWAS and CPLP, on the ongoing dialogue process among political parties, to facilitate the early finalization of a broader political agreement for the restoration of constitutional order and the holding of free, fair and transparent elections;

“4.   Calls upon Guinea-Bissau stakeholders to continue their efforts to deepen the internal political dialogue in order to create an environment conducive to the holding of free, fair and transparent elections, acceptable to all, for a rapid return to constitutional order and the long-term stabilization of Guinea-Bissau;

“5.   Reiterates its demand to the armed forces to submit themselves fully to civilian control;

“6.   Condemns the violations of human rights, including political and civil rights and urges the Guinea-Bissau authorities to take all necessary measures to protect human rights and put an end to impunity and to initiate investigations to identify the perpetrators of such acts and bring them to justice;

“7.   Expresses its willingness to consider further action, based on additional information, against those involved in drug trafficking and organized crime in Guinea-Bissau in line of paragraphs 6 and 7 of its resolution 2048 (2012);

“8.   Urges civilian and military officials in Guinea-Bissau to demonstrate greater commitment to effectively combat drug trafficking including by ensuring the proper functioning of State agencies responsible for border control and the fight against drug trafficking, and encourages them to further support the efforts of the international community to that end;

“9.   Reaffirms the importance of coordination between the main partners of Guinea-Bissau having shared goals and speaking with one voice;

“10.  Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”

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For information media • not an official record