Guinea-Bissau: Security Council says dialogue key to peaceful resolution of country's crisis

Expressing concern over the current political developments in Guinea-Bissau, the United Nations Security Council has called on leaders to seek dialogue and consensus in resolving the crisis in the interest of peace in the country.

“Members of the Security Council called on parties to resolve the ongoing political dispute in the interest of peace in Guinea Bissau,” reads a press statement issued Friday evening.

Following a 14 August briefing by Tayé-Brook Zerihoun, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Council members urged all parties in Guinea-Bissau to remain calm, while calling on the security forces, civil society and political leaders to continue to act in a peaceful manner in accordance with the constitution and the rule of law.

Non-interference of security forces, underscored the 15-member body, is of importance in the political situation of Guinea Bissau.

The Council welcomed the continued engagement of UN Special Representative for Guinea-Bissau Miguel Trovoada, President Macky Sall, in his capacity as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other interlocutors in the search for a peaceful solution to the impasse.

Council members also underlined the need for concerted action between ECOWAS, the African Union, Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP), the European Union and the United Nations.

“They called on leaders to seek dialogue and consensus in resolving the crisis in a manner that serves the interests of the Bissau-Guinean people,” said the statement.

Sounding a similar note of concern in an interview with UN Radio, Marco Carmignani, Deputy Head of the UN Integrated Peace-Building Office in Guinea-Bissau, known as UNIOGBIS, said “there must be resolution through dialogue by and between Bissau-Guineans.”

According to Mr. Carmignani, the situation on the streets remained calm and there were no major demonstrations following the decision by the President reportedly to dissolve the Government and dismiss the Prime Minister, who was consulting with political parties in the National Assembly.

“This consultation is part of the constitutional requirement, for both the nomination and exoneration of the prime minister,” said Mr. Carmignani.

“The people have a great hope that Guinea Bissau would eventually find the path to stability,” said the Deputy Special Representative, adding that “hope is still alive.”