ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, June 19, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 442nd meeting, held on 17 June 2014, adopted the following decision on the situation in Guinea-Bissau
Council,
1. Takes note of the report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the situation in Guinea-Bissau [PSC/PR/2. (CDXLII)] and the statements made by the representative of the Republic of Ghana, the current Chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS);
2. Recalls its previous communiqués and press statements on the situation in Guinea-Bissau, particularly communiqué PSC/PR/COMM.(CCCXVIII) adopted at its 318th meeting, held on 17 April 2012, communiqué PSC/MIN/COMM/1. (CCCXIX), adopted at its 319th meeting, held on 24 April 2012, press statement PSC/PR/BR.2 (CCCXL), adopted at its 340th meeting, held on 2 November 2012, as well as communiqués PSC/PR/COMM (CCCLXI), PSC/PR/COMM.(CCCLXXII) and PSC/PR/COMM(CCCLXXII), adopted at its 351st, 361st and 372nd meetings, held respectively on 16 January, 22 March and 26 April 2013;
3. Reiterates its deep appreciation to ECOWAS for the crucial role it played in support of the process of ending the crisis in Guinea-Bissau. In this regard, Council pays tribute to Presidents Alassane Dramane Ouattara, Goodluck Jonathan and John Dramani Mahama, as well as to the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Kadré Désiré Ouedraogo, for their personal involvement in the efforts to successfully implement the transition process;
4. Also expresses its appreciation to the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), the European Union (EU), the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), the United Nations and the concerned bilateral partners for their sustained support to the process of ending the crisis. Council congratulates the Commission and the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission on their active contribution to the successful completion of the transition;
5. Welcomes the positive developments in the situation in Guinea-Bissau, in particular the successful holding, on 13 April and 18 May 2014, of the two rounds of the presidential election, as well as the organization of the legislative elections;
6. Notes with satisfaction that the electoral process was recognized to have been inclusive, free and fair and credible by the various election observation missions, including that of the AU, led by former President Joachim Chissano of Mozambique. In this regard, Council expresses its appreciation to the people, as well as to all the political institutions and actors of Guinea-Bissau, for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the elections and for the completion of the transition process. Council also commends former President Joachim Chissano for the critical role he played during the elections, in particular in the aftermath of the second round of the presidential election;
7. Takes note of the proclamation by the National Electoral Commission (CNE) of Guinea-Bissau, on 19 May 2014, of the final results of the 2nd round of the presidential election, congratulates Mr. Jose Mario Vaz on his election as the new President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau and expresses its appreciation to Mr. Nunu Gomes Nabian for having recognized the victory of his opponent;
8. Decides, in the light of the completion of the transition process and the restoration of the constitutional order, and in conformity with the relevant AU instruments, particularly the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, to lift the suspension measure against the participation of Guinea-Bissau in the activities of the AU, as contained in paragraph 6 of its communiqué PSC/PR/COMM(CCCXVIII), and invites Guinea-Bissau to immediately resume its participation in the activities of the AU. Council also appeals to other concerned members of the international community to lift any sanction imposed on Guinea-Bissau;
9. Encourages the new President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau and all the Bissau-Guinean stakeholders to work closely together, within the framework of the democratic institutions of the country, to consolidate the important achievements made. In this regard, Council stresses the urgency of sustained action to address the many challenges facing Guinea-Bissau, especially the promotion of national reconciliation and good governance, including the management of the natural resources of the country, observance of human rights, the fight against impunity and drug trafficking, security sector reform and socio-economic development;
10. Urges the armed forces to break definitively with the past practices of interference in the management of the country, and stresses the duty of loyalty, which is incumbent upon them, to the civilian authorities democratically-elected and their subordination to the political authorities;
11. Appeals urgently to the international community to continue and enhance its support to Guinea-Bissau, including through the early resumption of development cooperation and assistance to Guinea-Bissau. In this regard, Council urges the Member States in a position to do so and the international bilateral and multilateral partners to seize the opportunity of the Donors’ Round Table, scheduled for the end of 2014, to provide to Guinea-Bissau the necessary financial and economic support;
12. Requests the Commission to take all necessary steps to mobilize, from within the continent, adequate support for Guinea-Bissau, including through the inclusion of this country on the list of States to benefit from the African Solidarity Initiative and continued facilitation of coordination among the relevant international organizations, particularly through regular joint assessment missions as a follow-up to those undertaken in December 2012 and July 2013;
13. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
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