8 January 2010 - The Government of Guinea-Bissau and the United Nations signed today an agreement leading to the voluntary departure, under guarantee, of Rear Admiral José Américo Bubo Na Tchuto from the UN premises in Bissau.

The agreement between the Government of Guinea-Bissau and the United Nations provides, among other things, that both parties recognize their obligations under international law, including respect for the sovereignty of Guinea-Bissau and recognition of its jurisdiction over its citizens in matter of criminal justice; recognition of the responsibility of the United Nations, of which Guinea-Bissau is a member State, for the promotion of rule of law and due legal process; as well as the protection of fundamental freedoms and human rights, in particular the opposition of both Guinea-Bissau and the United Nations against torture and other forms of inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment.

It should be recalled that on 28 December 2009, Rear Admiral Bubo Na Tchuto entered the UN premises in Bissau to state that he had come back from the Gambia to seek justice from his country and that he requested protection out of fear for his life.

The United Nations immediately notified the Government of Guinea-Bissau of the situation and consultations were thereafter carried out between the organization and the national authorities. The latter also talked Rear Admiral Bubo Na Tchuto, under the facilitation of Mr. Joseph Mutaboba, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Guinea-Bissau, aiming at a solution that would enable the former Chief of Navy Staff's voluntary and peaceful departure from the UN premises in Bissau.