United Nations Security Council Resolution 2458 – The situation in Guinea-Bissau

Resolution 2458 (2019)

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), 2267 (2016) 2343 (2017) and 2404 (2018),

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on Guinea-Bissau, dated 6 February 2019 (S/2019/115) and the recommendations contained therein, the special report dated 6 December 2018 (S/2018/1086) on the assessment of the United Nations Integration Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS), and underscoring the Secretary-General’s positive appreciation of the role of his Special Representative and head of UNIOGBIS in assisting the Government of Guinea -Bissau,

Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Guinea Bissau, emphasizing that the Bissau-Guinean authorities have primary responsibility for the provision of stability and security throughout the territory of the country, and underscoring the importance of national ownership to implement inclusive political, peace and security related initiatives,

Stressing the continued need for the Government of Guinea-Bissau to take concrete steps towards ensuring peace, security and stability in the country, by inclusively resolving the Guinea Bissau political crisis, organizing free, fair, credible and transparent legislative and presidential elections as stipulated in the Bissau-Guinean Constitution, 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, promoting and protecting human rights and commending its commitment to the implementation of its national priorities,

Expressing concern regarding the negative impact that the recent political and institutional crisis had on the progress made since the restoration of constitutional order following the elections held in 2014, the functioning of the State apparatus and the implementation of Guinea-Bissau reform agenda,

Expressing also concern for the situation of citizens of Guinea-Bissau, who are suffering the negative effects of the political crisis, and urging all political actors to put the interest of the Bissau-Guinean people above all other consideration,

Welcoming the continued engagement of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General Jose Viegas Filho, the President of the Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, in his 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 capacity of ECOWAS Mediator for Guinea-Bissau, the Special Representative of the African Union, Ovidio Pequeno and other interlocutors in the political stabilization efforts and support to the holding of the legislative elections on 10 March 2019 and recalling the need for continued concerted action among the United Nations, ECOWAS, the African Union, the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), and the European Union (EU),

Welcoming also the continued efforts of the five international organizations involved in the peacebuilding process in Guinea-Bissau (African Union, CPLP, ECOWAS, European Union, United Nations) and supporting their appeals to all stakeholders in Guinea-Bissau, to respect the principles established in the UN Charter and their obligations under International Human Rights Treaties and to refrain from any public action or discourse likely to aggravate tensions in the country,

Recalling that the implementation of the Conakry Agreement of 14 October 2016, based on the ECOWAS road map entitled “Agreement on the resolution of the political crisis in Guinea-Bissau”, is the primary framework for the restoration of durable peace and stability in Guinea-Bissau,

Noting the final Communiqué of the 54th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Head of State and Government of ECOWAS of 22 December 2018, which inter alia reaffirmed the need to maintain the consensus government in its current form until the parliamentary elections of 10 March 2019; reiterating its intention to impose sanctions on the bases of proposals from the President of the Commission, against political stakeholders and others who obstruct the smooth conduct of the electoral process, and urged Bissau-Guinean political actors to remain faithful to their commitment to implement the road map adopted on 14 April 2018 in Lomé,

Welcoming the Communiqué of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the AU of 10 October 2018 underlining the important role of the five international organizations supporting the peace process in Guinea-Bissau, the AU, the UN, ECOWAS, EU and CPLP in the coordination of the efforts of the international community to support the organization of the elections,

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 ensuring the full and effective participation of women and youth 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,

Encouraging national stakeholders to work together for 10 March 2019 legislative elections, as well as 2019 presidential election scheduled by the Government of Guinea-Bissau, and stressing that timely, inclusive and credible elections, as spelled out in Conakry Agreement and the ECOWAS six-point road map, are essential for the resumption of sustainable and nationally owned reform efforts,

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 impartial, 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,

Encouraging continued efforts of the Government to ensure 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 promoting stability in Guinea-Bissau and encouraging the international community to continue supportingand assisting ECOMIB,

Encouraging the commitment, efforts of mediation and direct contacts of the African Union with the political actors of Guinea Bissau in view of stepping up the efforts to help overcome the current blockage of the political situation,

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, encouraging sustained 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 efficiencyamong 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, sub-regional 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 sub-region, and encouraging enhanced cooperation between UNODC and UNIOGBIS,

Urging Bissau-Guinean national stakeholders to demonstrate the necessary commitment to re-establish momentum for progress in key areas, as outlined in the programme “Terra Ranka” presented to the donor community at the Brussels round table held in March 2015,

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 social and political participation in Guinea-Bissau, particularly with regard to the August 2018 adoption of a gender parity law in the National Assembly, ahead of the 10 March 2019 legislative elections and underlining that a gender perspective must continue to inform the implementation of all relevant aspects of the mandate of UNIOGBIS, including national reconciliation processes, institution building and to address 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, recalling the coordinated and long-standing 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 continued engagement of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) with Guinea Bissau, and noting the briefing by the Chair of the PBC configuration for Guinea Bissau on 8 February 2019 reiterating its support to the Conakry Agreement, stressing the importance of holding free and fair elections in accordance with the Constitution of Guinea Bissau, and underlining the importance of renewing the mandate of UNIOGBIS of another year,

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

Adopted by the Security Council at its 8474th meeting, on 28 February 2019.