New York - On behalf of the Guinea-Bissau Configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, I join the Security Council, the United Nations Secretary-General, the African Union, the European Union, the Economic Community of West African States, and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries in strongly condemning the recent killing of Mr. Baciro Dabó, a candidate in the upcoming presidential elections, as well as Mr. Helder Proença, a former Minister of Defense, and two of his bodyguards. Such deplorable incidents bear a very negative impact on and pose considerable challenges to the peacebuilding process in Guinea-Bissau.

In light of such incidents, the Security Council called on the international community to work closely with the Government of Guinea-Bissau. To advance
and to consolidate peace in the country, it is vital that parties, the Armed Forces and people of Guinea-Bissau uphold democratic governance, the rule of law and
the constitution, and bring to justice those responsible for these violent acts.
In this respect, the Guinea-Bissau Configuration notes the importance of the decision by H.E. Mr. Raimundo Pereira, the Interim President of the country, following consultations with relevant national stakeholders, to hold the presidential election as scheduled on 28 June 2009. The Guinea-Bissau Configuration will continue to provide support for the electoral process.
A free, fair and transparent election will pave the way for a comprehensive national dialogue and reconciliation. The Guinea-Bissau Configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission stands ready to support such constructive efforts in order to help consolidate peace in the country.
I reiterate the Guinea-Bissau Configuration members' overall support to Guinea-Bissau and its continued willingness to work with all stakeholders to ensure that the priorities set forth in the Strategic Framework for Peacebuilding, in particular the reform of the security and defense sectors are effectively implemented. In my next briefing to the Security Council, I intend to address the current and future engagement of the Guinea-Bissau Configuration with the country in order to continue to assist Guinea-Bissau overcome its challenges.