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STORY: UN / GUINEA-BISSAU
TRT: 1.51
SOURCE: UNTV
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 28 MARCH 2012, NEW YORK CITY / FILE
FILE – RECENT, NEW YORK CITY
1. Wide shot, exterior United Nations headquarters
28 MARCH 2012, NEW YORK CITY
2. Wide shot, Security Council with teleconference screen in the background
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Joseph Mutaboba, The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of United Nations Integrated Peace-Building Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS):
“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 peace-building plans and programmes in Guinea Bissau. Most of 2012 will be taken up by: a) 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; b) the PAIGC Congress scheduled for July; and c) legislative elections towards the end of the year.”
4. Med shot, delegates
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Joseph Mutaboba, The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of United Nations Integrated Peace-Building Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS):
“The military events on the 26 December are symptomatic of a military leadership divided and lacking uniform commitment to republican values. SSR therefore remains the cornerstone reform without which democracy and stability cannot be consolidated in Guinea Bissau. The leadership of the new President, who is Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, will be crucial.”
6. Med shot, delegates
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations and Chair of the Guinea-Bissau Configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission:
“It is crucial now that all stakeholders, especially the two runoff candidates and their supporters, demonstrate political maturity, maintain a peaceful environment and refrain from any action that could lead to unnecessary tensions. It is important that electoral grievances be resolved through legally established channels, in full respect for the rule of law.”
8. Wide shot, Security Council
The United Nations envoy for Guinea-Bissau today (28 March) stressed the need for strong international engagement to help the country complete the current political transition and move ahead on priorities such as reforming the security sector and tackling drug trafficking and organized crime.
In a briefing via teleconference to the Security Council, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Joseph Mutaboba, noted the challenging political and security environment related to the country’s current political transition process, aimed at restoring full constitutional order after the death of President Malam Bacai Sanhá in January.
Mutaboba said that Sanhá “was a moderating force with considerable influence on the country’s fractious political and military actors” and his death “has been a blow to peacebuilding plans and programmes in Guinea-Bissau.”
The West African nation is undergoing a political transition as a result of Sanhá’s death, which prompted early elections – the first round of which were held on 18 March. A run-off is now scheduled for 22 April between former Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior and ex-president Kumba Yala.
Mutaboba pointed out that the country’s priorities for 2012 include issues related to the presidential election process, as well as legislative elections towards the end of the year.
The envoy, who is the head of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS), expressed concern about the reported 26 December military coup attempt and other acts of violence.
He said that these events “are symptomatic of a military leadership divided and lacking uniform commitment to republican values” and added that “the leadership of the new President, who is Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, will be crucial.”
Speaking at the same Council meeting, the Chair of the Guinea-Bissau Configuration of the UN Peacebuilding Commission, Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti of Brazil, stressed that “It is crucial now that all stakeholders, especially the two runoff candidates and their supporters, demonstrate political maturity, maintain a peaceful environment and refrain from any action that could lead to unnecessary tensions” adding that electoral grievances should be resolved “through legally established channels, in full respect for the rule of law.”
Meanwhile in Geneva, UN High Commissioner of Human Rights, Navi Pillay, described the elections as “tense but in the end, thankfully, free of violence,” noting that international observers including from the Economic Community of West African States, the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) and the African Union found that the first round had been free, fair and transparent. However, five opposition candidates have threatened not to participate in the second round, after allegations of electoral fraud, increasing tension in the country.
