United Nations Security Council Resolution 2343 – The situation in Guinea-Bissau

Resolution 2343 (2017)

The Security Council,

Recalling its previous resolutions, statements of its President and press statements on the situation in Guinea-Bissau, in particular resolutions 1876 (2009), 2030 (2011), 2048 (2012), 2092 (2013), 2103 (2013), 2157 (2014), 2186 (2014), 2203 (2015) and 2267 (2016),

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on Guinea-Bissau, dated 7 February 2017 (S/2017/111) and the recommendations contained therein, and underscoring the Secretary-General’s positive appreciation of the role of his Special Representative and head of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) in assisting the Government of Guinea -Bissau,

Stressing the need for the Government of Guinea-Bissau to continue to take concrete steps towards peace, security and stability in the country, by effectively reforming the security sector, tackling corruption through the reinforcement of the judicial system, improving public administration and State revenue management, as well as the supply of basic services to the population, and commending its commitment to the implementation of its national priorities,

Expressing concerns over the ongoing protracted political and institutional crisis among the President, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of Parliament and heads of political parties which has prevented the country from moving forward with its national reform agenda and threatens to undermine the progress made in Guinea -Bissau since the restoration of constitutional order following the elections held in 2014,

Welcoming the continued engagement of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Modibo Ibrahim Touré, the President of the Republic of Liberia, Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, in her capacity as the Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the President of the Republic of Guinea, His Excellency Alpha Conde, in his dual capacity of Chairperson of the African Union and ECOWAS Mediator for Guinea -Bissau, the Special Representative of the African Union, Ovidio Pequeno, and other interlocutors in the search for a peaceful solution to the impasse and recalling the need for concerted action among the United Nations, ECOWAS, the African Union, the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), and the European Union (EU),

Further welcoming the adoption, on 10 September 2016, by ECOWAS, of the six-point road map entitled “Agreement on the Resolution of the Political Crisis in Guinea-Bissau” brokered by ECOWAS and the Conakry Agreement on the implementation of the road map,

Commending the commitment demonstrated by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Government at their Summit on 17 December 2016 to supporting the implementation of the ECOWAS brokered road map and the Conakry Agreement,

Emphasizing the need for respect of democratic principles and stressing the importance of national reconciliation, inclusive dialogue and good governance, essential for the attainment of lasting peace in Guinea-Bissau, further stressing the importance of including all Bissau-Guineans in this process at national and local levels, while upholding the principles of separation of powers, rule of law, justice and combating impunity, and encouraging all stakeholders to engage in the process,

Stressing that the consolidation of peace and stability in Guinea-Bissau can only result from a consensual, inclusive and nationally owned process, respect for constitutional order, priority reforms in the defence, security and justice sectors, the promotion of the rule of law, the protection of human rights, the promotion of socioeconomic development and the fight against impunity and drug trafficking, in the framework of the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Guinea-Bissau,

Reaffirming the importance of the continued non-interference of the defence and security forces in the political situation in Guinea-Bissau, and commending the restraint shown in this regard as well as the peacefulness of the people of Guinea -Bissau,

Underscoring the importance of the Government of Guinea-Bissau, with the support of UNIOGBIS and international partners, to continue developing national security and rule of law institutions that are transparent, accountable and professional,

Stressing that all stakeholders in Guinea-Bissau should work to ensure short, medium and long-term stability through clear commitment and genuine inclusive political dialogue aimed at creating conditions conducive to finding viable and sustainable solutions to the country’s social, economic, political and military problems, which would facilitate the implementation of key reforms and the strengthening of State institutions,

Noting efforts of the Government to gain effective civilian control and oversight over the defence and security forces, as failure to do so could adversely affect the effective functioning of State institutions, as a result of collusion between some political actors and the military leadership,

Commending the efforts of ECOWAS in helping to sustain peace, security and development and to support the security sector reform (SSR) process in Guinea -Bissau namely through the activities of its Mission (ECOMIB),

Welcoming the continued contribution of ECOMIB in ensuring an environment that enables the implementation of critical reforms in the defence and security sector and encouraging the international community to support the continuation of such efforts,

Taking note with concern of the financial difficulties faced by ECOMIB in continuing to implement its mandate,

Reiterating its call on the Government of Guinea-Bissau to conduct transparent, independent and credible investigations into human rights violations and abuses, in accordance with international standards, and to hold those responsible accountable for their actions,

Reiterating its concern at the threat posed by drug trafficking, as well as trafficking in all forms, including trafficking in persons, and related transnational organized crime to peace and stability; and, in this regard, welcoming the efforts of the Government of Guinea-Bissau, ECOWAS, UNIOGBIS, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and other relevant stakeholders in combating this issue,

Re-emphasizing the need to tackle the problem of drug trafficking in the countries of origin, transit and final destination on a basis of a common and shared responsibility, to tackle the world drug problem and related criminal activities; and, in this regard, stressing the need for increased coherence, coordination and efficiency among relevant partners to enhance their collective efforts, in particular through sharing of information, underlining that any lasting solution to instability in Guinea-Bissau should include concrete actions to fight impunity and ensure that those responsible for politically motivated assassinations and other serious crimes such as breaches of constitutional order and drug trafficking-related activities are brought to justice, including through national judicial mechanisms,

Reiterating the importance and urgency of the continued evaluation capacity and support provided by the relevant United Nations entities and international, regional, subregional and bilateral partners for the long-term security and development of Guinea-Bissau, particularly towards the implementation of security and justice sectors reforms, the fight against transnational organized crime as well as the creation of an enabling environment for good governance and inclusive and sustainable social development, and in this regard, commending the important work UNODC in collaboration with relevant United Nations entities in Guinea -Bissau and the subregion, and encouraging enhanced cooperation between UNODC and UNIOGBIS,

Emphasizing the role of UNICEF working closely with government to create the proper conditions to provide education for the children of Guinea -Bissau,

Emphasizing the important role of women in prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peacebuilding, as recognized in resolutions 1325 (2000) and subsequent resolution on women, peace and security,

Emphasizing the cooperation between UNIOGBIS, national authorities and civil society organizations to increase women’s participation in Guinea-Bissau and underlining that a gender perspective must continue to inform the implementation of all relevant aspects of the mandate of UNIOGBIS, including security sector reform, national reconciliation processes, institution building and to addr ess the root causes of instability,

Reaffirming that Guinea-Bissau’s partners should continue to actively and closely coordinate their actions in support of the Government’s efforts to address the country’s political, security and development challenges, and in this regard, welcoming the coordinated support provided by the country’s partners, namely those in the United Nations system, the African Union, ECOWAS, the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), the EU, the World Bank, and the African Development Bank, to the Government during the International Donor Conference for Guinea-Bissau held on 25 March 2015 in Brussels,

Welcoming the final Communiqué of the Fiftieth Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, held in Abuja, Nigeria, on 17 December 2016 and the African Union Peace and Security Council Communique of its 658th meeting, held on 13 February 2017, supporting the implementation of the ECOWAS road map and the Conakry Agreement,

Welcoming the continued engagement of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) with Guinea-Bissau, and noting the statement issued by the Commission on 16 February 2017 expressing its deep commitment to supporting the successful implementation of the ECOWAS road map and the national development plan“Terra Ranka”,

Reaffirming its full commitment to the consolidation of peace and stability in Guinea-Bissau,

Adopted by the Security Council at its 7890th meeting, on 23 February 2017.