Guinea-Bissau: Ban urges all political stakeholders to avoid escalation after outbreak of protests

In the wake of protests in Guinea-Bissau, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged all political stakeholders and their supporters to act responsibly, refrain from violence and avoid an escalation of the situation by settling their concerns through dialogue.

The Secretary-General is “deeply concerned” over the situation in Guinea-Bissau following the President’s decision to appoint a new Prime Minister and the subsequent protests in opposition to that move, said a statement issued by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson.

According to the statement, the UN chief noted that the prolonged political crisis in Guinea-Bissau is gravely affecting the functioning of the country’s institutions and undermining prospects for socio-economic development.

“He calls on all political stakeholders to urgently bring the ongoing impasse to an end in the interests of the people of Guinea-Bissau on the basis of the country's constitution,” said the statement, adding that the Secretary-General welcomes the professionalism of the national armed forces in the fulfilment of their duties and urges them to continue to act responsibly.