S/PV.7883 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Guinea-Bissau and Liberia to participate in this meeting. On behalf of the Council, I welcome His Excellency Mr. Soares Sambú, Political and Diplomatic Adviser and Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Mr. Modibo Touré, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau, and His Excellency Mr. Mauro Vieira, Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, in his capacity as Chair of the Guinea- Bissau configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2017/111, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on developments in Guinea-Bissau and the activities of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau. I now give the floor to Mr. Touré.

It is my honour to introduce the report of the Secretary-General on developments in Guinea-Bissau and the activities of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (S/2017/111). I should like to inform the Council of developments that have arisen since the report was published. First, however, I should like to describe the context in which these developments have unfolded. On 14 October, stakeholders of the political elite of Guinea-Bissau signed the Conakry Agreement, paving the way for the country’s return to political and institutional stability and creating the long-term conditions necessary for the enactment of key reforms laid out in the road map of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has been endorsed by the African Union, the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries, the European Union and the United Nations. In essence, the Conakry Agreement was intended to mark a definitive departure from the recurring episodes of instability and create a foundation for a political renaissance in Guinea-Bissau. Four months later, the stalement continues with each passing day. The dialogue, reconciliation and mutual concessions that characterized the spirit and letter of the Conakry Agreement have been superceded by dissent and the polarization of positions. Following the Abuja summit of 17 December, the ECOWAS Heads of Government expressed their serious concern in that regard and urged the stakeholders to comply strictly with the provisions of the Conakry Agreement. The United Nations reiterated that call. Despite that urgent appeal, the political rifts continue to deepen. In that context, on Monday, 6 February, the Prime Minister submitted on schedule the Government’s programme to the Speaker of the National Assembly. The Assembly’s timetable for consideration of the programme has yet to be established. What we are seeing is growing mistrust among the political stakeholders, fueled by verbal escalations, reciprocal accusations and myriad accusations. (spoke in English) On 5 January, the Government dismissed all regional Governors and the Mayor of Bissau. It also appointed new officials to various governmental and security institutions. On 20 January, the decision to rotate the security personnel deployed at the National Assembly prompted a swift condemnation by the Permanent Commission of the National Assembly as being illegal and made without prior consultations with the Speaker. Four days later, on 24 January, unknown elements reportedly broke into and took documents from the Office of the Speaker. Both the Office of the Speaker and the Parti africain pour l’indépendance de la Guinée et de Cabo Verde (PAIGC) have blamed the Government and linked this incident to earlier accusations made by Mr. Nuno Nabiam, the runner- up in the 2014 presidential election. The latter had alleged that there was a plot to force the convening of a parliamentary session to adopt the Government’s programme through the removal of the Speaker and the replacement of the National Assembly’s Bureau. The Prime Minister has, however, dismissed these allegations, stating that no hostile actions would be taken against the National Assembly and its leadership. On 8 February, the Bureau of the National Assembly rejected a request by the Prosecutor General to lift the parliamentary immunity of PAIGC President and former Prime Minister Domingos Simões Pereira to be heard as a witness in connection with past contracts reportedly signed by his Government with private banks. The Bureau decided that Mr. Simões Pereira should be heard by the National Assembly instead. Yesterday, the African Union Peace and Security Council convened in Addis Ababa to examine, among other items, the situation in Guinea-Bissau. The Council expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in the country and the lack of progress made in the implementation of the Conakry Agreement. The Council reiterated its support for the ECOWAS-led mediation process and urged all parties to refrain from any act susceptible of further escalating the situation. I would like to seize this opportunity to reiterate my appreciation to the Heads of State of ECOWAS and in particular to its Chairperson, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, for persevering in their mediation efforts and to the ECOWAS Mediator for the country, President Alpha Condé of Guinea, for his crucial role. The United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS), in collaboration with the P-5 partners, will work to support the timely deployment of a planned high-level ECOWAS mission to Guinea-Bissau to help advance the political dialogue. Any breakthrough in the political dialogue will remain short-lived if the structural causes of the instability are not addressed. It will therefore be critical for all national actors to strictly implement the provisions of the Conakry Agreement, which remains the framework for any effective and sustainable resolution of the current political crisis. Despite the political crisis, Guinea Bissau’s economic performance has been remarkable. According to the World Bank, the economy is estimated to have expanded by 5 per cent in 2016, reflecting the impact of a bumper cashew harvest. That is consistent with the level of growth recorded in 2015 and compares favourably to the 2.3 per cent growth in 2014. Sustaining this economic growth, however, will require stability and statesmanship. On the social front, the Government has managed to pay salary arrears of several months, particularly in the health and education sectors. On a related note, I am also pleased to report encouraging steps towards fostering national reconciliation and social cohesion. From 8 to 11 February, the organizing commission for the national conference organized an international symposium on the theme “Facing the past to build the Guinea-Bissau of tomorrow”, at the National Assembly’s premises. The symposium was a welcome step forward for the peace and reconciliation efforts in an otherwise deadlocked political environment. The President of the Republic attended the symposium and promised that he would convene the honorary committee of the national conference, over which he presides. UNIOGBIS will continue its day-to-day technical and fmancial support to national dialogue efforts at various levels, in collaboration with the Peacebuilding Fund. In the continued absence of a fully functioning Government, the United Nations and international financial institutions must continue to coordinate efforts towards mitigating risks and reducing socioeconomic vulnerabilities, including through business-for-peace initiatives. To that end, we are currently working to take forward a partnership initiative between UNIOGBIS, the United Nations country team, the World Bank and other interested partners to effectively strengthen local resilience and promote peace in Guinea-Bissau, in line with resolution 2282 (2016) which calls for a more integrated political, security and development approach to sustaining peace. In the face of this challenging political environment, UNIOGBIS will review its approach and restrategize in line with current exigencies. That was why a strategic review mission, led by the Department of Political Affairs, travelled to Guinea-Bissau in December to work with UNIOGBIS and the United Nations country team to agree on the strategic priorities for UNIOGBIS in the short to medium terms. The mission recommended some important structural adjustments to improve the internal performance of UNIOGBIS and enhance synergies with the United Nations country team for better delivery. The main recommendations of the strategic review mission have been outlined in the report of the Secretary-General. It is my hope that the Council will give positive consideration to these important recommendations. (spoke in French) Guinea-Bissau being located in a subregion that faces important security challenges, it is critical that the international community strengthen the country’s national capacities to address the complex problems facing it. The people of Guinea-Bissau are proud, peaceful, hard-working and aspire only to enjoy better living conditions. I appeal to the entire political class to reach beyond all partisan considerations, put the national interest above all else and focus on the real problems of the country, including the fight against poverty and the promotion of sustainable development. As the political landscape narrows, it is important to promote dialogue and consultation. Guinea-Bissau will continue to need the special attention and support of the Security Council to find the path to political stability and socioeconomic development without delay. I take this opportunity to reiterate my call on all political leaders to ensure that all their actions and steps conform to the Constitution and the legislation governing the organs of State.

I thank Mr. Touré for his briefing. I now give the floor to Mr. Vieira. Mr. Vieira: I would like to start by thanking you, Sir, for the invitation extended to me in my capacity as Chair of the Guinea-Bissau configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC). As you are aware, Brazil is currently Chair and a State member of the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP), an organization that closely follows the situation in Guinea-Bissau. The CPLP endorses the remarks I am about to make. It is our firm belief that increasing synergies and complementarities among the relevant international partners will be beneficial to an effective peacebuilding endeavour in Guinea-Bissau. I take this opportunity to thank the Secretary-General for his report (S/2017/111) on developments in Guinea-Bissau and the activities of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS). I also welcome the briefing made by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNIOGBIS, Mr. Modibo Touré, on the situation on the ground, and wish to commend his good offices in the search for a solution to the political impasse in Guinea-Bissau. Since the last time the Security Council deliberated on Guinea-Bissau, in August 2016 (see S/PV.7764), there has been a major positive development: the adoption of the six-point road map and the Conakry Agreement, which were endorsed at the fiftieth African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government. There should be no hesitation with regard to the implementation of such landmark agreements. In that regard, I wish to commend the engagement of regional actors with Guinea-Bissau aimed at providing a road map for achieving political stability. The international community must stay united in supporting the mediation efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and in reaffirming that the Conakry Agreement is the only framework for a peaceful resolution of the political and institutional instability in Guinea-Bissau. The international community must also remain united in providing all support needed for the full and effective implementation of that Agreement in close coordination with the authorities of Guinea-Bissau. We welcome, in that regard, the contribution of the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) to the ECOWAS-led mediation efforts in September and October. We have to continue identifying concrete measures that can be taken to further facilitate the full implementation of the six-point road map and the Conakry Agreement. The key actors involved in the stabilization process of Guinea-Bissau — the African Union, ECOWAS, the CPLP, the European Union and the United Nations — will have an important role to play. In that regard, I welcome the declaration on the political situation in Guinea-Bissau adopted by the CPLP Heads of State and Government at the eleventh Summit in Brasilia in November last year. We are considering reconvening the International Contact Group. I also plan to visit Guinea-Bissau. Political will, constructive and consensual dialogue, coupled with courageous leadership, which, as we know, the people of Guinea- Bissau are capable of, are needed now more than ever. It is important to highlight that a solution to the current institutional and political situation is in the hands of the people of Guinea-Bissau themselves. In 2014, the development of the Terra Ranka programme for the sustainable development of the country marked a high point and provided hope for all citizens of Guinea-Bissau. In March 2015, the international community responded positively to the efforts of the Government with strong pledges of support at a donor conference to fund that national peacebuilding programme. We encourage the national stakeholders in Guinea-Bissau to commit to re-establishing momentum for progress in the areas outlined in the Terra Ranka development programme and to invite partners to fulfil their pledges made there. I also would like to take this opportunity to express the configuration’s support for the proposed measures that have been recommended with a view to enhancing the operational posture of UNIOGBIS. We welcome the strengthening by the General Assembly of UNIOGBIS through the establishment of a post of Political Affairs Officer to improve coordination with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime on drug trafficking and another post of Rule of Law Officer. An effective and well-integrated presence of the United Nations on the ground is essential for coordinating international initiatives and supporting national actors in their efforts to achieve stability and development. We note the recommendation of the strategic review mission deployed to Guinea-Bissau from 4 to 14 December 2016, led by the the Department of Political Affairs, that mentions an exit strategy for UNIOGBIS. We also acknowledge the challenges posed by transnational organized crime and other emerging threats, as well as the risks posed by the security challenges in the West African subregion, as underscored by the Secretary-General in his report. Peacebuilding and sustaining peace require long- term engagement and a commitment to prevention. As per the 2016 review of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture, the enhanced United Nations engagement with peacebuilding should aim also at preventing the outbreak, escalation, continuation and recurrence of conflict, addressing its root causes, ensuring national reconciliation and moving towards recovery, reconstruction and development. The United Nations and relevant international partners should remain engaged in their support for Guinea-Bissau’s peacebuilding efforts to build a common vision of a society and ensure that the needs of all segments of the population are taken into account. Let me reassure you, Sir, that the Commission is committed to continuing its assistance towards national reconciliation, recovery and the development of Guinea-Bissau. Tomorrow, we will hold a meeting of the PBC country-specific configuration to review the outcome of the deliberations of this meeting of the Security Council and to elaborate on concrete initiatives to support progress in Guinea-Bissau, in close consultation with ECOWAS and UNIOGBIS and the relevant international partners within the Guinea- Bissau P-5. I would like to reiterate the configuration’s support for the National Conference and its programme for the consolidation of national peace, which would be entitled in English “Paths towards a consolidation of national peace”. In addition, I commend UNIOGBIS for the support that it has provided to the Organizing Commission for the National Conference with resources provided by the Peacebuilding Fund. The aim of that dialogue is to provide a platform that will give a voice to all stakeholders on the key issues of development and reconciliation. That inclusive dialogue can be a positive element in a broader process aimed at developing the long-term peacebuilding policies that the country requires. The PBC country configuration could assist those and other efforts. The upcoming legislative and presidential elections scheduled for 2018 and 2019, respectively, will require a consistent preparatory process and the full engagement of all stakeholders. We must also examine possible actions to support security- sector reform and institution-building. In that context, special attention should be given to the empowerment of youth and women. The configuration will continue to work to assist in the implementation of the current Peacebuilding Priority Plan of the PBF in Guinea- Bissau, which already encompasses those priority areas. I wish to note with appreciation that the overall security situation in Guinea-Bissau has remained stable. We should also highlight the position of the armed forces. The PBC acknowledges the relevant role of the ECOWAS Mission in Guinea-Bissau. Local authorities need to put the best interest of the nation above all other considerations. The message that we bring today is simple: all parties must swiftly agree on concrete steps that will enable the implementation of the six-point road map and the Conakry Agreement. I have full confidence that the political actors in Guinea- Bissau will demonstrate the needed leadership and determination to work together to build a true consensus in support of the aspirations of their people and nation.

I thank Mr. Viera for his briefing. The representative of Uruguay has asked to make a statement.

With your permission, Mr. President, before discussing the item on the agenda for our meeting, I should like to mention an interesting fact. Given that the main task of the Council is the maintenance of international peace and security, I recall that 50 years ago today, on 14 February 1967, in Mexico City, the Treaty of Tlatelolco, which banned nuclear weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean, was signed, thereby establishing the first nuclear-weapon-free zone in the world. We believe that the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones is a first great step in the maintenance of international peace and security. We therefore thought it was worthwhile to recall that, half a century ago, the political leaders of Latin America and the Caribbean took that revolutionary step. I wish to thank you, Sir, for organizing this briefing. I would like to thank in, particular, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Modibo Touré, and Ambassador Mauro Vieira, in his capacity as Chair of the Guinea-Bissau configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission. The political situation in Guinea-Bissau remains in a stalemate. Still, tireless international and regional efforts are being made to find a way out of this impasse. Despite the difficult political situation, fortunately, for the present time, the security situation in the country remains calm, and no serious incidents have been reported. Perhaps we can find in this a positive result of the adoption of sanctions imposed by the Security Council in 2012 on those who had undermined the institutionality of Guinea-Bissau, and perhaps it is a good reminder about easing tensions that could arise in some areas. However, it should not be forgotten that the borders of the country today are extremely porous and vulnerable to such threats as terrorism, drug trafficking, arms trafficking and all types of activities associated with transnational organized crime. Furthermore, we should point out as a positive element that there have been no reports of serious violations of human rights. Nevertheless, the Council is aware of the difficult political history of Guinea-Bissau, as well as the enormous challenges that lie ahead. Therefore, the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) must continue to provide the support needed for the country to reach a solution to the crisis. In any case, there is no doubt that those who are primarily responsible for the current situation are the political stakeholders of Guinea-Bissau, who have not honoured the commitments undertaken in Conakry, and it must be clear that the current Prime Minister has not been appointed in compliance with the consensus agreed in Conakry. As a result, we must stress that they must comply with their commitments under the road map and the Conakry Agreement and show that they are truly committed to a peaceful and negotiated political solution. The results of the strategic review mission that took place last December were very clear in pointing out that UNIOGBIS must give priority to its good offices, political facilitation and the coordination of efforts. Another element that the mission underscored and to which Uruguay attaches importance is the introduction of reforms to promote the rule of law and human rights, in particular to fight impunity and improve State capabilities. The fact that the strategic review mission presented possible reference parameters for the departure of the UNIOGBIS continues to be a positive element. At the same time, however, we agree with the Secretary-General’s recommendation that the presence of UNIOGBIS be extended for another year.

I now give the floor to the representative of Guinea-Bissau.

The Government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau welcomes this opportunity to participate in today’s Security Council meeting with a view to reacting to the report submitted by the Secretary-General on the prevailing political situation in my country (S/2017/111). On behalf of the President of the Republic and of the Government, we would like to thank the international community for its unwavering support and solidarity shown to our country and for keeping the political situation in Guinea-Bissau on the international agenda, which has led to the promotion of political dialogue aimed at generating and consolidating interparty consensus for the sake of political and governing stability in the country. In this context, we praise the outstanding efforts of the United Nations, particularly those of the Security Council, the Secretary-General and his Special Representative for our country, as well as the Guinea-Bissau configuration. We thank the Council for the attention paid to our country and the important contribution made to stabilization and political and social normalization processes in our society. On 16 November 2016, a new Prime Minister was appointed by presidential decree and a new Government was set up in accordance with the Bissau and Conakry road maps, which are the two instruments that at this time bind political stakeholders in the National Assembly and civil society and define the ways and means to end the crisis and foster political dialogue to shore up stability. As a product of inclusive dialogue involving all political stakeholders, the Government chose this instrument as the key tool for its political action, making it a priority for the political parties represented in the National Assembly, in order to build and strengthen the political framework leading to a form of governance that would meet the expectations of people for normalizing political life and improving Government action. In this respect, the Government takes this opportunity to reiterate its commitment to the scrupulous implementation of the Conakry Agreement and to working for the inclusion of all signatories in order to broaden the political base supporting the Government. In spite of varying interpretations of the Agreement by some of the signatories, which has created difficulties in its implementation, the Government nonetheless respected all dialogue mechanisms for cooperation and defining arrangements for action with respect to the expected political and State reforms. I would like to inform the members of the Security Council that, in order to respect the constitutional time frame, the Prime Minister visited the Parliament personally, where he submitted the Government’s programme to the Speaker of the National Assembly for approval. I would also like to underline that this act was preceded by a round table with the signatories of the Conakry Agreement in order to assess the political priorities and guidelines of the programme. The Government enjoys a majority in the Parliament for the approval of its programme. The majority was a determining factor in the appointment of the current Government, which now has a parliamentary base for the Prime Minister to make this Government viable. (spoke in Spanish) With respect to the meeting of the Assembly — which was at an impasse for more than 15 months, in violation of all the constitutional provisions and internal rules of the Parliament — the law of Guinea-Bissau says the following: “The meeting of the Assembly for the assessment of the Government programme, in accordance with article 85, paragraph 1, of the Constitution, is set by common agreement between the President and the Prime Minister”. Furthermore, the Government undertakes to continue an inclusive political dialogue with the parties that have divergent interpretations of the Political Agreement in order to achieve a broader understanding, taking into account the supreme interests of the people of Guinea- Bissau for political stability and development of the country. To that end, we hope we can always count on the active support of the international community. (spoke in French) I should like to end my statement on behalf of the Government by expressing our gratitude to the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) for the important role it played in the mediation process to resolve the crisis, and to the ECOWAS Mission in Guinea Bissau for its presence and action in Guinea- Bissau. We offer our heartfelt thanks to the President of the ECOWAS Commission and the Heads of State of the subregion for their role in seeking a resolution to the crisis in Guinea-Bissau. We also thank our regional organization, the African Union, for its careful monitoring of internal developments in Guinea-Bissau. Allow me to express the support of the Government for the initiative to change the size of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-Bissau with a view to adapting it to the current political context and to promote peacebuilding, the implementation of State reforms, support for social stabilization and the pursuit of the objectives of nation building.

I now give the floor to the representative of Liberia.

Let me, at the outset, thank you, Mr. President, for having convened this debate and for the international attention it affords to ongoing efforts to resolve the current roadblock to the search for sustainable peace in Guinea-Bissau. On behalf of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), permit me to thank the Secretary-General and his representative for his report (S/2017/111). The Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS remains engaged and seized of finding a lasting solution to the political impasse in Guinea- Bissau. The failure to implement the Conakry Agreement of 14 October 2016, signed by all stakeholders, and the contentious, non-consensual appointment of the Prime Minister remain issues of grave concern for the advancement of peace efforts. The ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government recognizes that the current political stalemate undermines Guinea- Bissau’s socioeconomic development and is a threat to peace and stability in the country and, by extension, the subregion. We must urgently ensure adherence to the Conakry Agreement and accelerate its implementation. Permit me to give a retrospective account of reconciliatory engagements since the signing of the Conakry Agreement. In furtherance of the implementation of the Agreement, the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government tasked President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Chairperson of ECOWAS, to follow up with all stakeholders on their commitments. In light of that mandate, she led a presidential mission to Guinea-Bissau on 5 November 2016, consisting of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Marcel de Souza; the Minister of State of Guinea, Mr. Youssouf Kiridi Bangoura, representing President Alpha Condé; the ECOWAS Mediator, along with other officials of ECOWAS; the African Union; the United Nations; and the European Union, among others. That meeting was to provide the opportunity to make progress towards resolving the crisis. The outcome of the mission was the signing of a final communiqué focusing on the following six points in tandem with the Conakry Agreement: first of all, the stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to the Conakry Agreement; secondly, the stakeholders were encouraged to accelerate the reintegration of the 15 dissident Members of Parliament into the Partido Africano da Independência da Guiné e Cabo Verde (PAIGC), in compliance with the Conakry Agreement; thirdly, the President of the Republic, without further delay, was to appoint a consensual Prime Minister who had the confidence of the President; fourthly, an all-inclusive Government was to be formed, taking into account the parliamentary representations of the political parties; fifthly, parliamentary sessions were to be convened as soon as possible; and sixthly, a national dialogue round table was to be organized in order to discuss the stability pact, which was meant to articulate key constitutional and institutional reforms before the 2018 legislative elections, as stated in the Conakry Agreement. In mid-November 2016, Mr. Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco Embaló was appointed Prime Minister by President José Mário Vaz. The appointment, however, was not unanimously accepted because Mr. Embaló was not a consensus candidate. That has resulted in the current setback. In the continuing efforts to find an amicable and peaceful resolution to the crisis, Guinea-Bissau has been placed high on the ECOWAS agenda. At a recent meeting on the margins of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, the Commission discussed ways to continue the mediation efforts, including through continued support for the mediator, President Alpha Condé of Guinea. The President of Sierra Leone, Mr. Ernest Bai Koroma, was designated to assist President Condé in the mediation, as the latter had also assumed the Chairmanship of the African Union. President Condé will schedule a meeting of the PAIGC in Conakry, to be convened as soon as possible. The challenge that the Government of Guinea-Bissau now faces is obtaining the Parliament’s endorsement of its development plan. If that effort fails, the newly appointed Prime Minister would have to resign. The situation is a source of growing tension between the Speaker of the Parliament and the Executive Branch. Meanwhile, the Authority calls on all parties and stakeholders in Guinea-Bissau to remain engaged, to support ongoing peace efforts and to collaborate on promoting the passage of the development agenda, which will trigger the release of the donor funding required to meet the needs of the people of Guinea- Bissau. The ECOWAS Authority also renews calls for broader international support of its ongoing efforts to bring lasting peace to the sisterly Republic of Guinea-Bissau.

I now invite the Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion on the subject.