11 December 2008
The United Nations Security Council today underscored the need for continued international support for Guinea-Bissau, while voicing their concern over security in the West African country which faced an unsuccessful coup attempt last month by elements of the military.
Renegade military elements launched an armed attack on the residence of President João Bernardo Vieira in the capital, Bissau, on 23 November. Mr. Vieira survived the attack, which occurred just one week after legislative elections were staged in a peaceful and orderly manner.
"The members of the Security Council reiterated their deep concern over the security situation in Guinea-Bissau," Ambassador Neven Jurica of Croatia, which holds the rotating Council Presidency for December, said in a statement read out to the press.
The 15-member body, which was briefed by the Secretary-General's Special Representative, Shola Omoregie, also expressed its support to the implementation of the Security Sector Reform Programme in Guinea-Bissau.
In addition, the Council also welcomed the successful organization of the legislative elections on 16 November and called on the authorities to ensure the installation of the new Parliament and Government as soon as possible. It also welcomed the creation of the National Commission on Human Rights.
Guinea-Bissau has struggled to combat growth in drug trafficking and organized crime, and also to sustain economic growth and political stability amid a series of civil conflicts and coups d'état in recent decades.
The UN has been assisting the country in rebuilding through the efforts of the UN Peacebuilding Support Office in the country, known as UNOGBIS. Guinea-Bissau is one of a handful of States on the agenda of the UN Peacebuilding Commission, which aims to help poor countries avoid sliding back into war or chaos.
The Council also asked the Secretary-General to put forward recommendations on transforming UNOGBIS into an integrated office, and underscored the need for continued support to Guinea-Bissau.
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D incident in guinea bissau should be an eye-opner 2 all african so-call leader.this s what wait 4 them, ie d dictator,who over state in power n re nt doing thing correctly or rightly.
My prayers are for Nino - a friend to Guineans everywhere - that his soul rest in perfect peace; for the families devastated by his loss and the loss of Tagme Na Waie - these sons of the soil. Another proof that we MUST learn to resolve differences; we MUST put national development first. PLEASE join me in prayers of peace for Guinea-Bissau!
I am surprise to hear the bad News from my friends back home in Guinea Bissau. This country needs stability. It’s a few elements who are really causing problems in this country and the people need peace.
SAD, SAD AND SAD THAT AN AFRICAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES JUSTICE IN SUCH A MANNER. THERE IS NO GOOD WAY FORWARD FOR AFRICA UNTIL THE MILITARY IS MADE TO PAY FOR THE PROBLEMS CAUSED SINCE THE END OF COLONIALISM. MOST OF OUR POLITICAL LEADERS ARE DEARLY RESPONSIBLE IN THE ARMING OF THE MILITARY IN A BID TO SAFEGUARD THEIR CORRUPT REGIMES AT THE SUFFERING MERCY OF THE POOR. A NEW CHAPTER IN THE POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT OF THE MILITARY IN AFRICA HAS TO BE RE- WRITTEN. ECOWAS, THE AU AND THE UNITED NATIONS HAVE TO SAVE THE PEOPLE OF AFRICA FROM THE… [Read Full Text]
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