United Nations Security Council Resolution 2512 – The situation in Guinea-Bissau
Resolution 2512 (2020)
The Security Council,
Recalling all of its previous resolutions, statements of its President and press statements on the situation in 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 country, and underscoring the importance of national ownership of the implementation of inclusive political, peace and security-related initiatives,
Calling on the Government of Guinea-Bissau to take concrete steps towards ensuring peace, security and stability in the country by resolving the political crisis through inclusive dialogue, implementing urgent reforms as per the Conakry Agreement of 14 October 2016, tackling corruption through the reinforcement of the judicial sector, combatting drug trafficking and trafficking in all forms, improving public administration and state revenue management, working to eradicate poverty and ensure the supply of basic services to the population, and promoting and protecting human rights,
Welcoming the peaceful holding of legislative and presidential elections within the legally-mandated timeframe in 2019,
Welcoming the communiqué of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) of 6 November 2019 calling on all Bissau-Guinean political stakeholders to put the interest of the country above all other considerations and create an environment for constructive dialogue among all stakeholders in order to consolidate peace, stability and socio-economic development in Guinea-Bissau and,
Calling for an inclusive dialogue among all political actors, including women, youth, and civil society organizations, as the only viable method for finding durable solutions to the protracted disagreements and recurrent political and institutional crises in Guinea-Bissau,
Welcoming the communiqué of the extraordinary session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government of 9 February 2020, which invites the Supreme Court of Justice, the judicial body competent in electoral disputes in Guinea-Bissau, to play its full role, in accordance with the constitutional provisions and electoral law of Guinea-Bissau, in support of political and institutional normalization in the country, and welcoming also the ECOWAS communiqué of 21 February 2020, reiterating its invitation to the National Electoral Commission and the Supreme Court of Justice to cooperate constructively in order to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process and guarantee the peace and stability of the country,
Recalling that the Conakry Agreement, based on the ECOWAS Six-Point Roadmap 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, the strict respect and full implementation of which, in accordance with the Stability Pact of 14 February 2018, is essential for the resumption of sustainable and nationally-owned reform efforts,
Commending and encouraging the continued efforts of international partners, in particular the United Nations, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU), the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), and the European Union (EU) (“the Group of Five”) in helping to sustain and promote peace, stability and development in Guinea-Bissau, including through support for the implementation of the Conakry Agreement, in this regard recognizing the role of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) in enhancing these efforts with a view to supporting the long-term peacebuilding priorities of Guinea-Bissau and, in this context, encouraging close coordination between all national, regional and international partners,
Emphasizing the need for respect of democratic principles and stressing that national reconciliation, inclusive dialogue and good governance are essential to the attainment of lasting peace in Guinea-Bissau, further stressing the importance of ensuring the full and effective participation of all Bissau-Guineans, including women and youth, in the political and peacebuilding processes at both 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 these processes,
Reiterating its concern at the threat posed by trafficking in all forms, including drug trafficking and trafficking in persons, and related transnational organized crime, to peace and stability and, in this regard, encouraging the 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 threat,
Noting the common and shared responsibility for combatting drug trafficking in the countries of origin, transit and final destination, in this regard, stressing the need for increased coordination between relevant partners to enhance their collective efforts, in particular through sharing of information, and underlining that any lasting solution to instability in Guinea-Bissau must include provisions to fight impunity and ensure that those responsible for politically-motivated assassinations and other serious crimes, including those involving breaches of constitutional order and those related to drug trafficking, are brought to justice, including through national judicial mechanisms,
Emphasizing the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peacebuilding, as per resolution 1325 (2000) and subsequent resolutions on Women, Peace and Security, and in this regard welcoming the continued cooperation between UNIOGBIS, national authorities and civil society organizations to increase women’s social and political participation in Guinea-Bissau,
Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on Guinea-Bissau, dated 6 February 2020 (S/2020/105),
Renewal of UNIOGBIS’s mandate
- Decides to extend the mandate of UNIOGBIS until 31 December 2020;
2. Commends the successful completion of Phase I and the closure of all UNIOGBIS regional offices by the 31 December 2019 as part of Phase II, as per resolution 2458 (2019), based on the recommendations of the Secretary-General in his special report of 6 December 2018 (S/2018/1086) regarding the reconfiguration of UNIOGBIS and endorses the reprioritization of its tasks and planning for its phased drawdown, including through the implementation of joint programmatic activities with national partners and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), supported by the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF); and requests that UNIOGBIS focus on the following phases:
(a) Phase II (post-electoral phase)
– UNIOGBIS will continue to perform its good offices function, in coordination with international partners, including the Group of Five, to support the Bissau-Guinean authorities in bringing the electoral dispute to a peaceful, stable and democratic conclusion;
– UNIOGBIS will establish the conditions conducive to the implementation of the reform agenda, as per the Conakry Agreement and the ECOWAS Six-Point Roadmap, including through the UN transition plan, encapsulated in the new United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2021–2025), and in coordination with the Bissau-Guinean national authorities and international partners;
(b) Phase III (transition phase)
– UNIOGBIS will continue to implement its transition plan for the gradual drawing down and transfer of tasks to UNCT, the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and other regional and international partners, towards mandate completion by 31 December 2020, bearing in mind the need for a flexible approach to ensure a seamless transfer of responsibilities, and cooperating closely with the Government of Guinea-Bissau to ensure national ownership of the process;
3. Decides that UNIOGBIS should continue to operate as a streamlined good offices special political mission, led by a Special Representative at the Assistant Secretary-General level;
4. Requests UNIOGBIS, including through the good offices and political support of the Special Representative, to focus, in particular, on the following priorities:
(a) Supporting the full implementation of the Conakry Agreement and the ECOWAS Six-Point Roadmap, and facilitating an inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation process, strengthening democratic governance, particularly with regards to the implementation of urgent reforms, including the reform of: the Constitution, the Electoral law, and the Framework Law on Political Parties;
(b) Providing support, including technical assistance, to Bissau-Guinean national authorities in expediting and completing the review of Guinea-Bissau’s Constitution;
5. Requests that, in addition to the abovementioned priorities, UNIOGBIS and the Special Representative continue to assist, coordinate and lead international efforts in the following areas to ensure lasting peace and stability in Guinea Bissau:
(a) Providing support to the Government of Guinea-Bissau in strengthening democratic institutions and enhancing the capacity of state organs to function effectively and constitutionally;
(b) Assisting national authorities and stakeholders in the promotion and protection of human rights as well as undertaking human rights monitoring and reporting activities;
(c) Providing strategic and technical advice and support to the Government of Guinea-Bissau to combat drug trafficking and transnational organized crime, in close cooperation with UNODC;
(d) Providing support to the Government of Guinea-Bissau and other stakeholders to incorporate a gender perspective into peacebuilding, in accordance with Security Council resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 2242 (2015) and 2493 (2019); and to implement the National Action Plan on Gender in order to ensure the involvement, representation and participation of women at all levels, including through the provision of gender advisers;
(e) Support the Government of Guinea Bissau, in close cooperation with the PBC, in the mobilization, harmonization and coordination of international assistance for the implementation of the reforms outlined in the Conakry agreement and the ECOWAS roadmap;
6. Requests the Secretary-General to conduct comprehensive capacity mapping of UNCT and other partners to which UNIOGBIS will transfer tasks and develop a complementary inclusive vision and plan for the UNCT footprint following the closure of UNIOGBIS, including non-resident UNCT staff and, in this context, prioritizing the finalization of the resource mobilization strategy and the deployment of staff based on the gaps in capacity already identified;
7. Decides that UNIOGBIS will continue its efforts to reduce the impact of its closure on the host country environment, in accordance with national and international laws, and UN rules and regulations, ensuring an environmental assessment is carried out of the sites remaining to be closed;
8. Requests the Secretary-General to start liquidation of UNIOGBIS immediately following the mandate completion date of 31 December 2020, once all substantive staff have left the mission, and end the liquidation process no later than 28 February 2021; and stresses the importance of the alignment of timelines for the liquidation of UNIOGBIS and the decision-making of UNCT regards assets and premises;
Political process
9. Expresses its concern at the political situation in Guinea-Bissau, and calls on all Bissau-Guinean political stakeholders to refrain from actions and statements that could disrupt the political process, escalate tensions or incite discrimination, hatred or violence, and urges them to call on their constituencies to do likewise,
10. Calls on the Government of Guinea-Bissau to implement urgent reforms as per the Conakry Agreement and the ECOWAS Six-Point Roadmap, including, as a priority, the reform of the Constitution, as well as reform of: the Electoral Law, the Framework Law on Political Parties, the defence and security sector, and the judicial sector, ensuring therein the separation of powers and access to justice for all, with particular attention to women and youth;
11. Calls on the Government of Guinea-Bissau, with the support of the United Nations and other relevant partners, to develop an updated development strategy for the country and to re-establish momentum in key areas of development, including economic and social development,
12. Calls on the Government of Guinea-Bissau, the Organizing Committee of the National Conference (OCNC) and relevant political stakeholders and civil society organizations, to organize an inclusive national conference for peace, stability and reconciliation;
13. Encourages continued efforts by the Government of Guinea-Bissau to ensure effective civilian control and oversight of the Bissau-Guinean defence and security forces, and stresses the importance of continuing to do so to ensure the proper functioning of state institutions;
14. Welcomes the continued non-interference of the Bissau-Guinean defence and security forces in the political process in Guinea-Bissau and calls on them to continue to submit themselves fully to civilian control;
15. Reiterates the importance of defence and security sector reform to long-term stability in Guinea-Bissau and encourages relevant sub-regional, regional and international partners to coordinate efforts in support of the Bissau-Guinean authorities’ implementation of such reform;
16. Commends ECOWAS for holding to account those who obstruct the smooth conduct of the political and electoral processes and threaten peace and stability in Guinea-Bissau, encourages ECOWAS to continue its political, good offices and mediation support to the Bissau-Guinean authorities, welcomes the extension by ECOWAS of the mandate of the ECOWAS Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ECOMIB) until March 2020 to support the implementation of the Conakry Agreement and the ECOWAS Six-Point Roadmap, commends the crucial role of ECOMIB in securing state institutions and supporting the reform of the defence and security sector, encourages ECOWAS to consider a further extension of ECOMIB’s mandate, commends the financial support provided by the EU and welcomes the EU’s willingness to consider options for providing further support to ECOMIB, and urgesbilateral, regional and international partners to consider providing financial assistance to support the continued deployment of ECOMIB;
17. Welcomes the continued engagement of the PBC with the Bissau-Guinean authorities and other relevant stakeholders in Guinea-Bissau, encourages the PBC to follow closely and support the UNIOGBIS transition process and the long-term peacebuilding efforts in Guinea-Bissau, and welcomes regular briefings by the PBC to the Security Council on its work in support of Guinea-Bissau;
18. Stresses the importance of mainstreaming gender and supporting the empowerment of women to achieve political and socio-economic stability in Guinea-Bissau and to build a lasting and sustainable peace, requests the Secretary-General to ensure UNIOGBIS’s transition process is consistently gender-responsive, and that the United Nations configuration in Bissau has the requisite resources to continue providing the relevant expertise following UNIOGBIS closure and, in this regard, calls on donors to provide adequate financial contributions in support of the gender peacebuilding priorities in Guinea-Bissau;
19. Expresses the Security Council’s readiness to take appropriate measures in response to further developments in the situation in Guinea-Bissau;
Drugs trafficking and organized crime
20. Reiterates its call on the Bissau-Guinean authorities to implement and review national legislations and mechanisms to combat transnational organized crime, including drug trafficking, trafficking in persons and money-laundering, which threaten security and stability in Guinea-Bissau and in the sub-region; and encourages international partners to support the relevant national institutions in this regard, as well as provide support to the presence of UNODC in Guinea-Bissau, and to the UNIOGBIS Trust Fund for immediate, medium and longer-term priorities; further encourages the international community’s cooperation with Guinea-Bissau on air traffic control, surveillance, and maritime security, within its jurisdiction, in particular to fight drug trafficking, illegal fishing, and illegal exploitation of natural resources; and calls on the Bissau-Guinean authorities to demonstrate commitment to combating drug trafficking through provision of adequate resources and political support to its counternarcotic units, as well as through investigations into and pursuit of accountability for the perpetrators;
21. Stresses the importance of combating drug trafficking to achieve political and economic stability in Guinea-Bissau, requests the Secretary-General to ensure relevant capacity within the existing UNIOGBIS structure, and requests the Secretary-General, through collaboration with international partners, to guarantee sufficient staffing for the UNODC office in Bissau and encourages donors to ensure adequate financial contributions for the UNODC programme in Guinea-Bissau and appropriate expertise following UNIOGBIS’s withdrawal;
Human rights
22. Urges the Bissau-Guinean authorities to take all necessary measures to promote and protect human rights, end impunity, ensure due process, including through the protection of witnesses, and conduct transparent, independent and credible investigations into human rights violations and abuses, including gender-based violence and gender discrimination, in accordance with national and international law, and identify the perpetrators and hold them accountable;
23. Calls on the Government of Guinea-Bissau, with international and regional support, to take steps to ensure early warning and prevention of, and accountability for human rights violations, with particular focus on freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly and the condemnation of hate speech and incitement to violence and the prohibition of incitement to imminent violence;
24. Calls on the Government of Guinea-Bissau to strengthen their national system for the promotion and protection of human rights, including by establishing an independent National Human Rights Institution, compliant with the Paris Principles;
Reports by the Secretary-General
25. Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report to the Security Council within five months of the adoption of this resolution on the implementation of this resolution and the drawdown and transition of UNIOGBIS, including details on the stage of each phase of the drawdown, and to submit a report within five months of the adoption of this resolution to the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2048 (2012) on the progress made regarding the stabilization of Guinea-Bissau and the restoration of constitutional order and giving recommendations on the sanctions regime, including, but not limited to, its continuation, adjustment or suspension, and on prospective delisting, in accordance with paragraph 12 of resolution 2048 (2012);
26. Decides to review the sanctions measures established pursuant to resolution 2048 (2012) six months from the adoption of this resolution, especially in light of its above-mentioned expectations, and consider appropriate, concrete measures including, but not limited to, its continuation, adjustment or suspension, and on prospective delisting, in accordance with paragraph 12 of resolution 2048 (2012);
27. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
Adopted by the Security Council at its 8736th meeting, on 28 February 2020.
