AHLC & Socioeconomic reports

New York - The following Security Council press statement was delivered today by Council President Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser (Qatar):

Members of the Security Council heard a briefing on 15 December from the newly appointed representative of the Secretary-General in Guinea-Bissau, Shola Omoregie, on recent developments in Guinea-Bissau, as contained in the latest Secretary-General's report (document S/2006/946).

Members of the Security Council expressed their concern over the precarious political, security and economic conditions in Guinea-Bissau.

Members of the Security Council are closely monitoring the situation and expressed appreciation for the informative report of the Secretary-General on developments in Guinea-Bissau, as well as the activities of the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-Bissau. Members of the Security Council commended the activities of UNOGBIS.

Members of the Security Council reiterated the appeal of the Secretary-General urging the political leaders to exercise restraint, focus on development and reconciliation and good governance, and to find negotiated solutions to their differences and to put the national interest above all.

Members of the Security Council called upon the international community, international institutions and donor partners to continue their support to Guinea-Bissau.

Members of the Security Council welcome the presentation of the Government of Guinea-Bissau of a new security sector reform plan and called for its early implementation with international support.

New York - The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the violent attack on the residence of the President of Guinea-Bissau, Joao Bernardo Vieira, on 23 November 2008 by military elements. The members of the Security Council regretted that such a serious incident occurred after the peaceful and orderly elections of 16 November 2008.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their full support to the democratic process.

The members of the Security Council called on the Government of Guinea-Bissau to bring to justice those responsible for this attack, and urged all parties in Guinea-Bissau to cooperate actively with the authorities in this regard.

The members of the Security Council also urged all parties to resolve any disputes through political and peaceful means within the framework of the rule of law. The members of the Security Council stressed that the international community would not accept a return to violence.

The following Security Council press statement on Guinea-Bissau was read out today by Council President Jorge Urbina (Costa Rica):

The members of the Security Council welcomed the holding on 16 November 2008 of the legislative elections in Guinea-Bissau, as scheduled, in an orderly and peaceful manner. They congratulated the Government and the people of Guinea-Bissau for their commendable commitment and mobilization on that occasion.

The members of the Security Council expressed their appreciation for the dedicated efforts of the National Electoral Commission in organizing these elections, and the contribution of the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNOGBIS) and other multilateral and bilateral partners to the process.

The members of the Council called on the political parties and leaders of Guinea-Bissau to respect the results of the elections and to resolve any related concerns through peaceful means, respecting the rule of law.

The members of the Security Council encouraged the international community to continue to support Guinea-Bissau on its path to peace and security, particularly through the implementation of the Peacebuilding Commission's integrated peacebuilding strategy.

Bissau - UNOGBIS was informed this morning of the attempted arrest of Mr. Carlos Gomes Junior, Member of Parliament and President of PAIGC by elements of the Ministry of Interior.

Later, Mr. Gomes Jr. walked into the UN Building in Bissau, where he sought protection.

UNOGBIS is making all the necessary efforts in consultation with the local authorities to find an amicable resolution to the problem.

As indicated in the statement issued by the Secretary General on 8 January we are very concerned about the recent developments in Guinea Bissau, particularly the disturbances which occurred a few days ago. Any lose of life is a deep concern to the UN. It is hoped that all concerned would avoid allowing Impunity to prevail.

January 8, 2007 - Statement attributable to the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General
New York - The Secretary-General is very concerned at the heightened tensions in Guinea-Bissau following the killing of the country former Navy Chief, Commodore Lamine Sanha, on 4 January 2007. He is particularly distressed by the loss of life that occurred following the intervention of the security forces during protests against the killing.

The Secretary-General urges the government and political leaders to exercise utmost restraint, and to focus on development and reconciliation. He urges the people of Guinea-Bissau not to take the law into their own hands. And he strongly encourages all national stakeholders to find negotiated solutions to their differences, and to avoid allowing impunity to prevail.

Bissau - The Government of Guinea-Bissau has lifted the detention warrant issued against the President of the PAIGC, Mr. Carlos Gomes Júnior.

The Ministers of Justice and Interior conveyed the position of the Government to me at a meeting this morning. They informed me that the Government has decided to lift the warrant and that all matters pertaining to this case will be handled by the Public Ministry and the Prosecutor Office.

They said that Mr. Carlos Gomes Júnior can therefore return home without fear of arrest. The Government guarantees his safety and that of his family. The Minister of Interior has furthermore stated that his Ministry will provide additional protection should Mr. Gomes request this.

The Government hopes that Mr. Gomes will cooperate with the Public Ministry and Prosecutor Office in their inquiries, but stress that the modalities will be worked out between the Public Ministry, Mr. Carlos Gomes Júnior and the Permanent Commission of the ANP.

On behalf of the Secretary-General and the United Nations, I take this opportunity to express our deep thanks to the authorities for helping bring this matter to a close.

It is important that the whole country should focus on reconciliation, peace and development.

The following Security Council press statement on Guinea-Bissau was read out today by Council President Vitaly Churkin ( Russian Federation):

Members of the Security Council heard a briefing on 26 March 2008 by the Representative of the Secretary-General, Shola Omoregie, on the situation in Guinea-Bissau, on the basis of the latest Secretary-General's report. Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, Permanent Representative of Brazil and Chairperson of the Peacebuilding Commission's Country-Specific Configuration on Guinea-Bissau, also briefed the Council on the Peacebuilding Commission's engagement with the country.

Members of the Security Council reaffirmed their support for the continuing efforts made by the Government of Guinea-Bissau, working in close cooperation with its partners, to consolidate peace in the country.

Members of the Council noted with satisfaction the efforts of the Peacebuilding Commission Country-Specific Configuration on Guinea-Bissau to develop a strategic peacebuilding framework, aiming at setting key priorities for consolidating peace and therefore allowing progress towards sustainable development in Guinea Bissau. Members of the Security Council looked forward to further advice from the Peacebuilding Commission as requested.

Members of the Council welcomed the outcome of the Lisbon International Conference on Drug Trafficking held on 19 December 2007, and supported the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) initiative to convene a regional conference on the subject. Members of the Security Council appealed to the international community to assist the Government and provide enhanced support and training for Guinea-Bissau's law enforcement and criminal justice system within the wider framework of security-sector reform and the fight against organized crime, drug trafficking and terrorism.

Members of the Security Council welcomed the launch of the security-sector reform programme in January 2008 and the efforts made by donor countries and regional organizations, in particular the European Union and ECOWAS, to assist in implementing the programme.

Members of the Security Council noted with satisfaction the announcement made by President Joao Bernardo Vieira to hold legislative elections on 16 November 2008. They called on the Government to accelerate the preparations for these elections. They further appealed to the international community to provide the financial and material resources necessary to ensure the effective and timely organization of the polls.

Members of the Security Council recognized and commended the important role played by the Representative of the Secretary-General and the staff of the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-Bissau, as well as by the United Nations Country Team, and in this regard recall the request to the Secretary-General contained in presidential statement S/PRST/2007/38 to present proposals on how best the United Nations could provide effective assistance in an integrated and holistic manner to national efforts.

The following Security Council press statement on Guinea-Bissau was read out today by Council President Alejandro D. Wolff (United States):

The Security Council was briefed on the situation in Guinea-Bissau on 25 June by the Representative of the Secretary-General, Shola Omoregie, by the Executive Director of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Antonio Maria Costa and by the Chair of the country-specific configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission for Guinea-Bissau, Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti.

The members of the Council welcomed the progress on the preparations for the legislative elections scheduled for 16 November 2008 and call upon the Government of Guinea-Bissau and all parties to ensure an environment conducive to free and fair elections. They commended the international partners for their pledges in support of the elections and they urged the international community to continue to provide technical, material and financial resources, in order to fill the current gaps and ensure effective and timely elections.

The members of the Council reiterated their concern over the acute threat posed by drug trafficking and organized crime to the peace-consolidation process in Guinea-Bissau. They noted the efforts by the Government of Guinea-Bissau with the continued support by the international community in the implementation of the anti-narcotics operational plan and called on the international community to further enhance support for national and regional efforts to combat this scourge. They applauded the recent steps taken by the Government to bring drug traffickers to justice and recommended prompt follow-up to these actions.

They called on the Government to cooperate fully at regional and international levels in order to tackle drug trafficking and organized crime. They welcomed the decision of Cape Verde to host the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) regional Conference on drug trafficking and organized crime in West Africa.

The members of the Council reiterated the importance of security sector reform in Guinea-Bissau and urged the Government to intensify its efforts on all aspects of reform of the security sector. They welcomed the start of the European Security and Defence Policy mission in Guinea-Bissau and called on the donor community to continue to contribute financially in order to complement the European Union's support provided to security sector reform and law enforcement and the criminal justice system.

The members of the Council expressed support and encouragement for the Government's collaboration with the Peacebuilding Commission and looked forward to the country's strategic framework for peacebuilding. They stand ready to consider, as appropriate, the recommendations of the Secretary-General, in particular to strengthen the capacity of United Nations Peace-building Support Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNOGBIS) and the United Nations country team to provide the required support to the peacebuilding process in an integrated and efficient manner.

The members of the Council reiterated their support for the action undertaken by the African Union, ECOWAS, and the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), in the peacebuilding process in Guinea-Bissau.