Guinea-Bissau parties must stay committed to rule of law, Security Council says

Voicing concern about political tensions along party lines in Guinea-Bissau, members of the Security Council today urged all concerned to maintain their commitment to the rule of law.

Speaking to reporters following closed-door consultations on the issue, Vanessa Howe-Jones of the United Kingdom, which currently holds the Council’s rotating presidency, said recent developments have “cast a shadow on the prospects for stability in Guinea-Bissau, and further delay the fulfilment of expectations for a more promising future for the country and its people.”

The parties were urged to respect the next ruling of the Supreme Court in a case relating to the constitutionality of recent governmental changes by President João Bernardo “Nino” Vieira.

President Vieira issued one decree dismissing the Government and another appointing a new Prime Minister on 2 November, saying that tensions within the Government had hampered the functioning of State institutions and weakened their capacity to pay salaries or survive in Parliament.

Council members “underlined that continued engagement of the international community in Guinea-Bissau is still very much needed, particularly through economic and financial assistance, including with security sector reform” said Ambassador Howe-Jones.

Council members have agreed to renew the mandate of the UN Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNOGBIS) through the end of next year.