Guinea-Bissau: Ban urges all political stakeholders to avoid escalation after outbreak of protests

27 May 2016 – In the wake of protests in Guinea-Bissau, United Nations Secretary-GeneralBan Ki-moon today urged all political stakeholders and their supporters to act responsibly, refrain from violence and avoid an escalation of the situation by settling their concerns through dialogue.

30 May 2016

Guinea-Bissau: Ban urges all political stakeholders to avoid escalation after outbreak of protests

The Secretary-General is “deeply concerned” over the situation in Guinea-Bissau following the President’s decision to appoint a new Prime Minister and the subsequent protests in opposition to that move, said a statement issued by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson.

According to the statement, the UN chief noted that the prolonged political crisis in Guinea-Bissau is gravely affecting the functioning of the country’s institutions and undermining prospects for socio-economic development.

“He calls on all political stakeholders to urgently bring the ongoing impasse to an end in the interests of the people of Guinea-Bissau on the basis of the country's constitution,” said the statement, adding that the Secretary-General welcomes the professionalism of the national armed forces in the fulfilment of their duties and urges them to continue to act responsibly.