Contact Group On Guinea Calls for Justice, Reconciliation And Fight Against Impunity

24 May 2010
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Economic Community of West African States (Abuja)
press release

Abuja - Nigeria — The International Contact Group on Guinea (ICGG) has underscored the importance of justice, reconciliation and the fight against impunity as important ingredients for the maintenance of social cohesion as the country begins the process for the restoration of democratic governance with Presidential elections due to take on 27th June 2010.

In a communiqué at the end of their 13th meeting in Conakry on 16th May 2010, the Group welcomed the initial steps by the ruling National Transitional Council to promote these ideals as well as the opening of an office for the UN High Commission on Human Rights. While the group applauded the progress with the transition process, including the promulgation of Decrees in May 2010 setting the date for the Presidential election and concerning the revised Constitution, it urged Guinean authorities to continue this process with the promulgation of the Electoral Code.

In addition, they should align the timetable with the relevant legal texts. The group also welcomed the willingness of President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso to continue his role as Mediator in facilitating the transition process in Guinea and encouraged him to pursue his efforts towards reinforcing constructive and inclusive dialogue with the stakeholder. In order to create an environment that will facilitate the peaceful conduct of the elections, the group launched an urgent appeal on Guineans, particularly the leaders and members of political organizations, to exercise moderation and restraint.

It therefore urged them to consider peace, social cohesion and national unity above sectional and other considerations. In addition, it expressed satisfaction with the commitment of the stakeholders to abide by the relevant provision of the Joint Ouagadougou Declaration which precludes 'the President of the Transitional Government, the Prime Minister and members of the National Transition Council as well as members of the Defence and Security Forces in active service' from contesting the forthcoming elections.

In order to address the issues raised in the report of a joint ECOWAS/African Union/ UN group of experts, the Group urged the government to adopt the necessary measures for facilitating the security sector reform programme. Furthermore, it urged ECOWAS, the AU and the UN to develop the modalities for implementing the recommendations of the report.

Read the original article on Ecowas.

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