In its resolution 2267 from 27 February 2016, the Security Council expressed concerns over the ongoing political and institutional tensions among the President, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of Parliament and heads of political parties which has prevented the country from moving forward with its national reform agenda for over six months and threaten to undermine the progress made in Guinea-Bissau since the restoration of constitutional order following the elections held in 2014.

The country remains in the early stages of implementing measures to tackle the root causes of instability. Guiding this effort is a set of national priorities, articulated in the four-year government plan, as well as in 2011 PRSP, the 2006 SSR Strategy Document, and the Strategic and Operational Plan presented at the Partners’ Round Table held on 25 March 2015, in Brussels. 

The Council aligned and extended the mandate of UNIOGBIS until 28 February 2017, in support of these national priorities. The backdrop for mandate implementation is a fragile political and security environment.

Deep-rooted political and social factionalism pervade the country’s major political parties, state institutions and society as a whole. Tensions between the Government and the President persist, especially given the constitutional ambiguities regarding their respective roles. Inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation processes are making slow progress as national actors have different views with regard to their organization and leadership.

This environment will be put to test when necessary reforms approach critical stages in the defence, security and justice sector. All this should be done while addressing impunity, corruption, unregulated exploitation of natural resources and drug trafficking. 

The Security Council established three priorities for UNIOGBIS to focus on in 2016. These are:

a)    Support an inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation process to strengthen democratic governance and work towards consensus on key political issues particularly with regards to the implementation of necessary urgent reforms; 

b)    Provide strategic and technical advice and support to national authorities and relevant stakeholders, including in coordination with ECOWAS/ECOMIB and other international partners, in implementing the national security sector reform and rule of law strategies, as well as developing civilian and military justice systems that are compliant with international standards; 

c)    Support the Government of Guinea-Bissau towards the mobilization, harmonization and coordination of international assistance, including for the implementation of the national security sector reform and rule of law strategies, and enhancing cooperation with the AU, ECOWAS, CPLP, EU and other partners in support of the maintenance of constitutional order and the stabilization of Guinea-Bissau;

In addition the Security Council has mandated UNIOGBIS and the Special representative to support the Government in strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law; Provide advice and support for the establishment of efficient law enforcement and criminal justice and penitentiary systems;  Assist national authorities in the promotion and protection of human rights as well as human rights monitoring and reporting; Support the Government in combating drug trafficking and transnational organized crime, in close cooperation with UNODC; 

The Council further invited the Secretary-general to strengthen UNIOGBIS good offices’ capacity and to continue strengthening the coordination for international support;
UNIOGBIS is also instructed to work with the Peacebuilding Commission in support of the country’s peacebuilding priorities: political leaders must abide by their commitment to political stability; authorities, and all stakeholders, including civil society and the military are to work together to consolidate progress made so far, and to address the root causes of instability with particular attention to political-military dynamics, ineffective state institutions and rule of law, impunity and human rights violations and abuses, poverty and lack of access to basic services.