UN
Ban deplores use of force to settle differences in Guinea-Bissau
27 December 2011 - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today condemned the use of force to settle differences in Guinea-Bissau and called for the respect of the lawful civilian authorities in the West African country.
Mr. Ban, in a statement issued by his spokesperson, encouraged the country's authorities to respect due process in the investigation of the reported events, saying he is following the situation. He reaffirmed the support of the United Nations to the peacebuilding process in the country.
The primacy of the lawful civilian authorities according to the constitution must be respected.
"The primacy of the lawful civilian authorities according to the constitution must be respected," the statement noted.
A week ago the Security Council renewed the mandate of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) until February 2013 to consolidate peace and stability and urged the Government and other political actors to work together towards that goal.
On Tuesday, the UN representatives in Bissau together with ambassadors and members of international organizations in Bissau were briefed by Guinea-Bissau Minister of Foreign Affairs about 26 December events. According to the minister, investigations will be carried out by civilian and military in due process.
In the afternoon, UNIOGBIS hosted a meeting with members of diplomatic corps to analyze the situation.
The African Union (AU) Commission President, Jean Ping, arrived Wednesday morning in Bissau to meet with the Speaker of the Parliament and acting President of Republic, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense as well as international partners.
An official statement issued Monday at the end of a meeting between the Speaker, the Prime Minister, members of the Cabinet and the Chief of General Staff says that on 26 December a military group attacked the Armed Forces Headquarters in Bissau. Media reports indicated that Guinea-Bissau's navy commander as well as members of the defense and security forces have been arrested. (With UN News Centre)
