United Nations Security Council Resolution 2404 – The situation in Guinea-Bissau

Resolution 2404 (2018)

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) and 2343 (2017),

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on Guinea-Bissau, dated 9 February 2018 (S/2018/110) 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,

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 ongoing protracted political and institutional crisis among the main political actors, including but not limited to the President, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of Parliament and Head of political parties in Guinea Bissau which has prevented the country from moving forward with ensuring peace and stability through implementing its national reform agenda and threatens to undermine the progress made since the restoration of constitutional order following the elections held in 2014,

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, Modibo Ibrahim Touré, the President of the Republic of Togo, His Excellency Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, 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 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),

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 a peaceful resolution of the political crisis, as it offers an historic opportunity for national authorities and political leaders, as well as civil society, to jointly ensure political stability and build sustainable peace,

Commending the continued mediation efforts of ECOWAS to promote the implementation of the ECOWAS road map and the Conakry Agreement, as demonstrated by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Government, in Addis Ababa, on 27 January 2018,

Inviting the President of Guinea –Bissau to appoint a consensus Prime Minister and the signatory parties to form a government in conformity with the Conakry Agreement, no later than 31 January 2018, and acknowledging the communique of 01 February 2018, following its high level mediation mission to Bissau and determination that the Conakry Agreement had not been respected, and, in this regard, its direction to the president of the commission to implement sanctions against any person or organization impeding the process for ending the crisis in Guinea Bissau and noting the ECOWAS Authority’s strong appeal to the African Union, CPLP, European Union and United Nations to support ECOWAS in the effective implementation of these sanctions,

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,

Noting that delays in the implementation of the Conakry Agreement have undermined the efforts of dialogue and the review of the applicable legal framework before the holding of the legislative and presidential elections in 2018 and 2019, respectively, and further taking note that the institutional paralysis, in particular of the National Assembly, has prevented progress in relation to the review of the Constitution,

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 supporting and 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 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, 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 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 African Union Peace and Security Council Communiqué of its 734th meeting, held on 14 November 2017, underscoring the need for credible elections, notably legislative elections in 2018 to be held according to legal timelines,

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 14 February 2018 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 8194th meeting, on 28 February 2018.