Furthermore, they stressed, “the date of the presidential election must also be set to take place in 2019.”

Considering that the 10 March legislative elections in Guinea-Bissau were considered credible and transparent, the African Union, CPLP, ECOWAS, European Union, and the United Nations emphasize that all political parties and actors must respect the outcome of those elections as an expression of the sovereign will of the people of Guinea-Bissau. They urge all political actors, to set aside their private or partisan interests and work together in a constructive manner for the benefit of the country.

They note the “climate of tension resulting from disagreements over the election of the members of the Bureau of the National Assembly” and urged all concerned stakeholders “to engage in constructive dialogue to find a solution to the current impasse, to finalize the constitution of the parliament bureau.”

The five organizations expressed concern about the fact that more than two months after the holding of the legislative elections, a new prime minister has not yet been appointed based on the election results. They encouraged the “urgent appointment of a new prime minister and the subsequent formation of a new government. Furthermore, the date of the presidential election must also be set to take place in 2019.”

The African Union, CPLP, ECOWAS, European Union, and the United Nations reiterate their determination to accompany the political leaders in the resolution of the current impasse. They also re-affirmed their “collective resolve to continue to stand by and assist the new Government and the people of Guinea-Bissau as they strive to consolidate their nascent democracy and to promote peace and prosperity.”

Find the statement here