YouSaid · the spoken record

Mutaboba

lines on the record: 320
first: 1999-08-25
most recent: 2012-07-26
sittings or episodes: 25
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Responsibility for the coup, although claimed by a military command, has been endorsed by the armed forces general staff and its positions exclusively conveyed by the spokesperson of the armed forces and chef de cabinet of the chief of general staff, Lieutenant Colonel Daba Na Walna. On 13 April, the military command invited the political parties to consultations on restoring constitutional normality. Twenty-three political parties accepted the invitation, including the Party for Social Renewal and extra-parliamentary parties. The ruling African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) has not attended any of the meetings.”
2012-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6754 (2012) · source
“A document was later circulated by opposition parties on 18 April purporting to be a copy of a letter from the Prime Minister to the Secretary-General, requesting an extraordinary meeting of the Security Council to discuss the internal situation following the non-acceptance of the election results, and the deployment of a peacekeeping force. The military command, on 13 April, also outlined its immediate goals as, first, removing obstacles to security sector reform; secondly, fighting drug trafficking and consumption so as to restore the internal and external image of the country, and consequently attract foreign investment; thirdly, tackling the culture of impunity; and finally, ensuring continuity of the process of building a democratic State based on respect for basic human rights and freedom of speech.”
2012-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6754 (2012) · source
“Mr. Mutaboba: Thank you, Sir, for this opportunity to brief the Security Council on the most recent developments in Guinea-Bissau. Following the 12 April military coup, which was unanimously condemned by the international community, including the Secretary-General and the Security Council, on 13 April some members of the armed forces claiming to be a military command took responsibility for the coup and provided, as justified reasons, the alleged existence of a secret agreement between the Government and Angola to legitimize, through a mandate of the African Union Peace and Security Council, an intervention by the Angolan 2 armed forces. The military command stressed it did not want power and had been forced to act in self-defence by attempts by the Government to annihilate the armed forces.”
2012-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6754 (2012) · source
“A newly elected President must strive to be accommodative and 12-27797 not sacrifice the visible, considerable progress achieved in the last three years.”
2012-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6743 (2012) · source
“It is encouraging that various bilateral and multilateral international partners remain committed to assisting Guinea-Bissau in the implementation of its SSR strategy, but fine-tuning their roles remains a challenge. Nevertheless, UNIOGBIS has been providing continuous technical assistance to the Government on coordination through working groups in the areas of defence, security and justice reforms, bringing together national and international partners. However, engagement by national and international actors needs to be further enhanced. National and international partners must be commended for having organized the early presidential election within such a short time frame. The election is an important milestone in the process of restoring constitutional order.”
2012-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6743 (2012) · source
“The military events that took place on 26 December are symptomatic of a military leadership divided and lacking a uniform commitment to republican values. SSR therefore remains the cornerstone reform without which democracy and stability in Guinea-Bissau cannot be consolidated. The leadership of the new President, who is Commander-in- Chief of the armed forces, will be crucial. SSR also requires convergence among the Government, international partners and the beneficiaries in the defence and security sectors on realistic and achievable targets and sequencing. The remaining obstacles to a finalized memorandum of understanding need to be resolved early in the new presidency.”
2012-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6743 (2012) · source
“1247797 A case in point is the situation relating to the 2012 budget, which cannot be signed until there is an elected President; that has a number of consequences. These problems, jointly with other recent challenges, point to the already expressed need for the Security Council to address constitutional review in Guinea- Bissau. That is now imperative. The national conference is a parliamentary initiative whose patron is the President of the Republic. Implementation this year depends on harmonization between the new President, Government and Parliament, bearing in mind the fact that the parliamentary term also expires in a few months' time. The window of opportunity for a national conference in this legislature is therefore quite narrow, but the task is not impossible.”
2012-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6743 (2012) · source
“The early presidential election has been an unanticipated, severe disruption. The immediate impact of the early elections should not be underestimated. The Government has been severely constrained since January because, first, the powers of the interim President are constitutionally circumscribed and, secondly, the candidacy of the Prime Minister and the involvement of other officeholders in the campaign have further significantly affected Government business. That highlights the extent to which the legal framework in Guinea-Bissau needs fundamental revision, as the current Constitution has totally failed to provide clear guidance on fundamental issues relating to how, in situations such as this, holders of sovereign organs of the State should proceed in order to avoid vacuums that compromise the normal functioning of the State.”
2012-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6743 (2012) · source
“The death of President Sanha, who was a moderating force with considerable influence on the country's fractious political and military actors, has been a blow to peacebuilding plans and programmes in Guinea-Bissau. Most of 2012 will be taken up by, first, elections and issues related to the presidential election process, which started in January and could be completed by the end of May 2012, when a new President is likely to be sworn in; secondly, the PAIGC congress scheduled for July; and, thirdly, legislative elections towards the end of the year, probably around November. We had factored into our planning that the political focus from the second half of 2012 onwards would be increasingly on the legislative elections, with a clear impact on the progress of the activities of the United Nations system as well as of the State.”
2012-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6743 (2012) · source
“On 22 February, the Government of Guinea-Bissau and the United Nations system signed the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for the period 2013-2017 as the integrated strategic framework. The UNDAF for the period from 2013 to 2017 defines the collective, coherent and integrated response of the United Nations to the priorities and needs of the country within the framework of the Millennium Development Goals and is aligned with the second generation of the national poverty reduction strategy paper covering the period from 2011 to 2015. It will contribute to addressing the challenges of peacebuilding and development during the period from 2013 to 2017. I would like to make several observations.”
2012-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6743 (2012) · source
“The implementation of the 2011 to 2014 national plan to combat illicit drug trafficking, and its political declaration, jointly designed by the Government, UNIOGBIS and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, has been hampered by financial constraints, in spite of existing capacity to implement it. The deficient judiciary system adds to an already long list of other collateral issues that impedes properly combating impunity, drug-trafficking and organized crime. On benchmarks, I would also like to report on the progress made on the implementation of the United Nations joint strategic workplan in Guinea-Bissau. Approximately 78 per cent of selected indicators are either on track or likely to be achieved within the time frame of 2017.”
2012-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6743 (2012) · source
“Also, the dual assassinations of June 2009 have been referred to the Supreme Court. Investigations have reportedly been opened into the assassinations of Major Yaya Dabo, on 27 December 2011, and Colonel Samba Djalo, on 18 March 2012. On the fight against illicit drug trafficking, there has been progress in the implementation of the West Africa Coast Initiative, notably in the functioning of the transnational crime unit, which, since the end of 2011, has been carrying out reporting activities, produced primary intelligence reports on international drug trafficking and participated in operational activities.”
2012-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6743 (2012) · source
“Similar efforts are ongoing with respect to reform in the justice sector, while the refurbishment of military barracks and the provision of equipment and prospective training plans are being undertaken with the assistance of the Angolan Mission to Support Security and Defence Sector Reform in Guinea-Bissau. On the fight against impunity, in February 2012, three suspects were charged with qualified homicide, damage and grave physical offences in connection with the investigation into the assassination of General Tagme Na Waie, on 1 March 2009. The case is to be submitted to the Bissau criminal court for trial. Some suspects were cleared. As to the investigation into the assassination of President Joao Bernardo Vieira, on 2 March 2009, the Prosecutor General has yet to hear key witnesses who are outside the country.”
2012-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6743 (2012) · source
“However, Government plans to launch the operation on 23 January were delayed in the wake of the political transition. Demobilization is a crucial step to trigger the rejuvenation of the armed forces in Guinea-Bissau. Its implementation is equally delayed. On police reform, UNIOGBIS continued to provide technical support for enhanced community 3 policing through the establishment of model police stations, with the assistance of the Peacebuilding Fund, as well as support in the areas of training, vetting and certification. Special concern is also being paid to gender-related matters, including gender-based violence, including a focus on preventing and combating child- trafficking.”
2012-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6743 (2012) · source
“Cape Verde pledged as much as the Government of Guinea-Bissau, that is, $4.5 million, with $1 million to be disbursed in early 2012. On 30 January, on the margins of the African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, in his capacity as outgoing Chair of the African Union, convened an African Union partners' breakfast workshop in support of the Guinea- Bissau SSR process, where further pledges of assistance were indicated, including from Equatorial Guinea. On 10 February, the Government of Guinea- Bissau and the United Nations signed a Peacebuilding Fund grant agreement for $2,803,378, making the United Nations the first international partner to contribute to the pension fund.”
2012-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6743 (2012) · source
“Voter turnout was 55 per cent, lower than in the previous elections. I would like now to turn to developments in the core areas of concern to the mandate of UNIOGBIS. First, with regard to security sector reform, the initial boost to consultations between the CPLP, ECOWAS and the Government of Guinea-Bissau on a memorandum of understanding for the implementation of the SSR road map appears to have dissipated. As an alternative option, ECOWAS and the Government undertook to sign a bilateral memorandum of understanding in furtherance of the implementation of the road map. However, progress was also interrupted by the political transition. UNIOGBIS continued to support the Government on resource mobilization efforts for the five-year special pension fund for members of the defence and security institutions.”
2012-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6743 (2012) · source
“In addition, there were three electoral technical experts from South Africa and two from the EU. The observers were unanimous in their assessment that the polls had been free, fair and transparent. On 20 March, a coalition of five candidates who had scored less than Carlos Gomes Ji'inior at the polls, including Kumba Yala, claimed that there had been fraud at the polls and called for the nullification of the 12-27797 results and for fresh polls following the establishment of a new voter registry. Sources close to Kumba Yala also indicated that he would not participate in a run-off election. On 21 March, the National Electoral Commission indicated that since no candidate had obtained 50 per cent plus one vote in the election, a run-off would be held on 22 April between Carlos Gomes Junior and the second placed candidate, Kumba Yala.”
2012-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6743 (2012) · source
“Investigations into the killing are ongoing and linkages with the electoral process were refuted by many, including the President of the National Electoral Commission and the spokesperson of the armed forces. In a similar development, on 21 March, the former Chief of Defence Staff, Vice-Admiral Zamora Induta, who had met Sambo Djalo a few hours before the latter was killed, sought refuge inside the European Union (EU) premises, claiming fear for his life. The African Union, the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Nigeria, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and the West African Economic and Monetary Union deployed a total of 154 election observers throughout the country.”
2012-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6743 (2012) · source
“Subsequently, a joint command of the police and the military, with permanent technical support from the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) within the framework of security sector reform, worked on security for the electoral process, with structures in all regions. The United Nations also provided multifaceted technical support for the entire electoral process. The election campaign process from 2 to 16 March was peaceful. On 18 March, the first round of the presidential election was held in a peaceful and orderly manner. No major security incidents were reported. The killing of a former military intelligence chief, Samba Djalo, outside his home in Bissau by uniformed individuals marred an otherwise peaceful election day.”
2012-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6743 (2012) · source
“Gomes Junior's candidacy was not constitutional, since the interim President was not constitutionally allowed to accept his resignation as Prime Minister. One of the 10 candidates, Braima Dialo, 12-27797 of the African National Congress, dropped out of the race on 5 March, claiming a lack of conditions for free, fair and transparent elections. Preparations for the elections were marred by violence on 20 February, when youths protesting their non-registration as voters in front of the offices of the National Electoral Commission were charged by the police, who in turn were manhandled and disarmed by the military.”
2012-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6743 (2012) · source
“In support of the process, international partners provided financial and/or in-kind contributions to cover the budget of $4.9 million, either through the United Nations Development Programme basket fund or directly to the National Electoral Commission. The consensus on the date of 18 March was later challenged by some of its strongest advocates among political parties in protest over the inability to update the voter registry, which was last updated in 2008. The Supreme Court cleared 10 of 14 candidates to run in the elections, including former President Kumba Yala and the ruling candidate of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), Carlos Gomes Junior. Some political parties argued that Mr.”
2012-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6743 (2012) · source
“In the wake of the incident, two people were killed - a member of the rapid intervention police, and a police commander, Major Yaya Dabo, who was assassinated while on his way to surrender to the authorities. Although the national conference was postponed indefinitely following the death of President Sanha, work on technical preparations has continued, including on enhancing the inclusiveness of the process. The future of the initiative will depend on consultations under a new president. On the political transition, following President Sanha's funeral on 15 January, interim President Raimundo Pereira held wide-ranging consultations with registered political parties, the National Electoral Commission and some members of civil society, which led to a consensus to hold early presidential elections on 18 March.”
2012-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6743 (2012) · source
“The late President Sanha had consulted and set the date of the much-awaited national conference for 2 14 to 18 January 2012. However, his medical evacuation on 22 November 2011 delayed the preparations for the event, which has now been overtaken by the focus on the political transition following his death. On 26 December, the security environment was unsettled by an armed attack on the General Staff Armory, with a reported removal of weapons. The Government denied a coup attempt, although on 30 December, Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior said that there had been a plot to kill him and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Indjai. Twenty-four military officers, including Navy Chief Rear Admiral Bubo Na Tchuto, and one civilian were detained. Eight of the detainees were subsequently released.”
2012-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6743 (2012) · source
“Mr. Mutaboba: I am honoured to brief the Security Council on key developments in Guinea- Bissau. My last briefing was on 3 November 2011 (see S/PV.6648). The reporting period has largely been marked by a political transition that resulted from the medical evacuation and subsequent death, on 9 January 2012, of President Malam Bacai Sanha. My briefing today will focus on the challenging political and security environment stemming from the current political transition process aimed at restoring full constitutional order. Such order has now become a crucial priority in terms of meeting the emerging challenges and identifying ways forward on vital national action plans, particularly through national dialogue, with respect to the implementation of security sector reform (SSR) and the fight against impunity, drug trafficking and organized crime.”
2012-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6743 (2012) · source
“Its quick operationalization will have impact not only on efforts to advance SSR, but also on our collective stabilization efforts, especially as the country prepares for legislative elections in 2012.”
2011-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6648 (2011) · source
“The development and consolidation of regional initiatives, including the West Africa Coast Initiative, whose Programme Committee met in Bissau on 27 October, will also contribute significantly to the building of national capacities in Guinea-Bissau and countries of the subregion. I have tried to describe today the crucial juncture we are approaching with our efforts to consolidate stability and create conditions for long-lasting development in Guinea-Bissau. Increasingly, strong, coordinated international support for the reform process is required, as is political backing for elected authorities. In this context, I would like to stress once again the cross-cutting dimension of the pension fund scheme and the progress that even a limited amount of funding could permit.”
2011-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6648 (2011) · source
“The efficient combat against drug trafficking in Guinea-Bissau continues to be hampered by a variety of internal and external political and technical factors. Furthermore, the lack of reliable data on the actual quantities of drugs that transit through the national territory adds to the difficulties in addressing the matter with the national authorities. This aspect was discussed during Under-Secretary-General Fedotov's visit in Bissau on 27 October. Increased international assistance and the partners' commitment remain imperative if we wish to see improved results in the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime in the country. Initiatives aimed at pooling the efforts of countries of origin, transit and destination of narcotics should continue and translate into concrete operational cooperation.”
2011-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6648 (2011) · source
“In parallel, UNIOGBIS will also provide technical and financial support to efforts that will be carried out at the grass-roots level throughout the country with a View to disseminating the work being done and ensuring wide national ownership and popular buy-in to the new draft constitution. UNIOGBIS will also provide advice to the national authorities to help ensure that the constitutional review process remains non-partisan, particularly in light of the upcoming legislative elections, scheduled for 2012. Drug trafficking and organized crime remain a constant threat to the fragile stability that Guinea- Bissau has enjoyed over the past 18 months, and bear the potential to compromise major reforms, including SSR.”
2011-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6648 (2011) · source
“The objective is also to guarantee an inclusive dialogue process open to all segments of society, notably the opposition parties not represented in Parliament, and to mainstream gender in this very promising process. UNIOGBIS has also continued to provide support to the constitutional review process. The first phase of the assistance consisted in a series of efforts aimed at ensuring that those responsible for reviewing the Constitution are in a position to do so in a broadly informed manner. Consequently, the Parliamentary Commission for the Review of the Constitution established a drafting committee and appointed its members, whose work will count on the support of UNIOGBIS.”
2011-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6648 (2011) · source
“Regarding the national conference, I am pleased to report that the preparatory phase - consisting in a series of eight sessions for the defence and security sectors, two conferences for the Guinea-Bissau diaspora in Africa and Europe, and 12 regional conferences - concluded at the end of October with the last sessions held in Bissau. An in-depth analysis and drafting of the results of the preparatory phases of the process is now under way, under the guidance of the organizing committee. The national conference is scheduled to be held between 15 and 18 December. We will continue to assist the national authorities in the development of follow-up mechanisms to be established following the event in order to ensure continuity in the reconciliation 3 efforts by building upon the national conference process.”
2011-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6648 (2011) · source
“The authorities of Guinea-Bissau, the opposition, civil society organizations and the population as a whole must feel reassured that the international community will neither tolerate further episodes of instability in the country nor accept that the perpetrators of serious crimes against the State remain unprosecuted. An important factor in achieving this will be for Guinea-Bissau's international partners to remain committed to advancing the institutional reforms envisaged in Security Council resolutions 1876 (2009) and 1949 (2010), including SSR and the establishment of political dialogue, while building the foundations for justice, the rule of law and respect for human rights.”
2011-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6648 (2011) · source
“The opposition political parties recently organized a series of peaceful public demonstrations of protest calling for progress on these very same investigations. In this regard, UNIOGBIS played a significant role in ensuring that these demonstrations did not lead to further episodes of tension among key political and military actors in Guinea-Bissau. We believe that the chances of achieving concrete positive results in the fight against impunity and the consolidation of the rule of law in Guinea-Bissau, without jeopardizing the existing stability prevailing in the country, will benefit from a strong engagement of the international community in the process, including enhanced coordination among partners.”
2011-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6648 (2011) · source
“While some positive work has been done in the development of the capacities of the various justice- sector actors and in establishing good practices of information-sharing among them, which has led to positive results, the 2009 high-profile political cases and related investigations remain to be concluded. Additionally, the recent changes at the helm of the 11-57874 Judiciary Police and the subsequent replacement of the Prosecutor-General, while generating a new momentum considering the commitment made by the newcomers to depoliticize the judiciary system, also created inevitable additional delays, in addition to the recent reshuffling in the key Government and judiciary system positions.”
2011-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6648 (2011) · source
“Within the recently approved $16.8 million second allocation of the Peacebuilding Fund for Guinea-Bissau, $3 million will be allocated for the construction of an additional 12 model police stations throughout the country, which will contribute significantly to the modernization of policing in Guinea-Bissau and to the institutionalization of respect for the rule of law, for the first time in Guinea-Bissau's recent history. With regard to efforts to fight impunity, progress has been conditioned not only by operational delays in the establishment of capable law-enforcement agencies, but also, and more importantly, by the increasing strategic need, or obligation, to strike a delicate balance between pushing for advancing the prevalence of the rule oflaw while at the same time not risking damaging the fragile stability in the country.”
2011-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6648 (2011) · source
“As a result of a thorough screening of police officers through the first phase of the vetting and certification process completed with the support of UNIOGBIS, the reformed police services will be free of personnel known to have demonstrated behaviour unfit for a police officer. The first model police station in Bissau is now operational. Its staff benefit from the advice of United Nations police officers co-1ocated on its premises.”
2011-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6648 (2011) · source
“Yet it is essential to guarantee the financial resources necessary to launch the fund without further delay, so as to allow for the expeditious rejuvenation of the military leadership and the enhancement of civilian oversight over the armed forces. In that context, I welcome the efforts made by the Peacebuilding Commission country-specific configuration to hold a high-level event to raise awareness about and seek the financial resources necessary for the pension fund scheme. I cannot stress enough the urgency of this matter. In parallel, I am happy to report that the reform of the policing services has seen substantial progress.”
2011-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6648 (2011) · source
“In the meantime, it should be noted that the CPLP member States maintained their engagement in connection with the implementation of projects on the ground that are part of the road map and contribute to overall SSR efforts. The delays in the disbursement of international financial assistance for the implementation of the road map, including the $63 million pledged by ECOWAS, remain a serious impediment to the activation of the pension fund scheme for the retirement of military and security personnel. The Government of Guinea-Bissau 11-57874 has already contributed $200,000 to the pension fund and committed to providing an additional $300,000 before the end of the year. The Government contribution is the only disbursement made to the pension fund so far.”
2011-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6648 (2011) · source
“Following the approval of the document at the highest level by the three parties concerned - the Government of Guinea-Bissau, ECOWAS and the CPLP - a memorandum of understanding detailing the modalities governing the implementation of the road map on the ground is expected to be signed by the three parties in the coming weeks. Throughout the negotiations between the three parties, UNIOGBIS was regularly consulted and insisted on the importance of framing the memorandum of understanding within the context of existing provisions related to the SSR implementation, including those deriving from Security Council resolutions and the outcome of the consultations between the European Union and the Government of Guinea-Bissau.”
2011-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6648 (2011) · source
“There is nevertheless a need to continue to build upon these gains, as we gradually approach critical phases of the reform process that require strong international support, and as the country embarks on a sensitive electoral process in 2012. UNIOGBIS has continued to support national efforts to effectively coordinate international assistance for credible security sector reform (SSR) under the principle of full civilian control of the military. In that context, significant work has been done to operationalize the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP) road map for fast-tracking SSR.”
2011-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6648 (2011) · source
“Mr. Mutaboba: I am honoured to present to the Council the latest report of the Secretary-General on the activities of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) (S/201 1/655). I believe that this is a timely opportunity to share with the Council the most recent developments 2 in Guinea-Bissau and review the current situation and the best course of action for future efforts to consolidate stability in the country, as this is our last meeting before the end of the current mandate of UNIOGBIS, in December this year. The national authorities, with the assistance of international partners, have continued to steer the country in the right direction and have consolidated important recent gains, resulting in a better political and security environment.”
2011-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6648 (2011) · source
“We believe that only a firm commitment at this stage by the national authorities to address key issues such as the rejuvenation and restructuring of the army, including its leadership, as well as the fight against impunity, will result in a more flexible stance on the part of all international partners and help jump-start major aspects of the reforms, including with respect to the crucial issue of the pension fund for the retirement and reintegration of elements of the defence and security forces.”
2011-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6569 (2011) · source
“Nonetheless, the authorities of Guinea-Bissau should remain mindful of their obligations, with a view to sustaining a longer- term commitment on the part of their international 11-39059 partners in support of the initial, timid steps taken so far, and to demonstrate their ownership of the process by addressing the key outstanding issues that still render the progress made vulnerable and reversible.”
2011-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6569 (2011) · source
“In addition, serious concerns remain regarding the lack of commitment by the national authorities to address impunity, drug trafficking and organized crime, despite the potential devastating impact of those phenomena on the country's stability. The country is indeed at a crossroads. With the support of international partners, all basic conditions are in place for genuinely advancing the national dialogue, the security sector reform programme and other key socio-economic reforms.”
2011-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6569 (2011) · source
“Here I would like to inform the Council that Ambassador Fedotov, the head of UNODC, will be joining us in Bissau, in the region, in October to be able to work together on this exercise. In conclusion, the increased stability and the more positive political climate in the country remain fragile. Consolidating them must continue to be the focus of our concerted efforts. The context in Guinea- Bissau is mixed: on the one hand, the political and security situation is improving; but on the other hand, the economic reforms have yet to be sustained by other key reforms, notably in the defense and justice sectors. Without justice reform, we will always have problems; and without a functioning justice system, we cannot carry out proper investigations. Therefore, we have to direct our efforts at justice reform.”
2011-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6569 (2011) · source
“I wish to commend recent initiatives, such as the G8+ meeting held in May in France and the transatlantic partnership meeting held in Lisbon, which are forums that could help support subregional and national plans to fight transnational crime, drug trafficking and money laundering. However, we believe that additional efforts could be made by expert agencies in the area of appropriate information-sharing, including trend analyses and comparative studies among countries in the subregion. Currently, the debate swings between the national authorities claiming that this phenomenon is not as widespread as depicted, with qualified sources stating the opposite, without, however, providing concrete evidence to the authorities.”
2011-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6569 (2011) · source
“The adoption on 15 June by the Government of Guinea-Bissau of the 2011-2014 national operational plan to combat drug trafficking, organized crime and drug abuse in Guinea-Bissau, established by the Government with the assistance of UNIOGBIS and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), is yet another encouraging step in the context of the increased commitment by the national authorities to fight this phenomenon as a matter of priority. The United Nations structures in Guinea-Bissau will continue their support for national authorities for the implementation of such plans.”
2011-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6569 (2011) · source
“The decision also constituted a setback given the serious challenges posed to the constitutional order by the military in recent years, and the major concerns about the independence and ability of the military justice system to oversee and complete this process in a credible fashion. Drug trafficking also continues to pose a major challenge to the country's stability. There is a need for the national authorities to demonstrate a firmer commitment and determination to mobilize national resources to address this scourge. Recent progress on the establishment of police coordination mechanisms and the launching of the Transnational Crime Unit project are positive signals that must be built upon and complemented by additional support from international partners.”
2011-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6569 (2011) · source
“Regrettably, and despite significant interactions among the Prosecutor-General, several key ambassadors in Bissau and Dakar and myself, on ways of ensuring a credible and transparent investigation process consistent with the provisions of resolutions 1876 (2009) and 1949 (2010), the Prosecutor-General recently rushed a decision to transfer the case of the June 2009 killings to the military court. That decision appeared to most observers to be an attempt to contravene the relevant Security Council resolutions, since the investigation team had not exhausted all avenues for interviewing some witnesses.”
2011-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6569 (2011) · source
“In this regard, we look forward to the results of the new round of consultations with the EU held on 24 June in Bissau. We understand that the two parties will meet again soon in Brussels to further review progress on major aspects. With regard to impunity, I wish to recall that the Government recently accepted and pledged to comply with the Geneva universal periodic review recommendations, including those referring specifically to the need to conduct credible and transparent investigations into the March and June 2009 political assassinations.”
2011-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6569 (2011) · source
“Regarding the political dialogue at the top level of Guinea-Bissau's leadership, while there have indeed been signs of improvement in recent months, it has yet to be established if the President, the Prime Minister and their respective advisers and teams have reached a sufficient level of confidence to address critical aspects of stability, such as how to handle the issue of the military leadership and how to fight impunity through decisive measures. These latter issues are not only critical for the rule of law but are among the benchmarks set by the European Union (EU) for the 3 full resumption of assistance within the framework of the consultations under article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement, which were launched in March this year.”
2011-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6569 (2011) · source