17 May 2012 - The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon considered that the mediation processes in Guinea-Bissau and Mali should led to a full and speedy return to constitutional order in the two West African countries where military recently seized the power.

"We believe it is critical to ensure that the decisions emanating from the mediation processes in Mali and Guinea-Bissau ensure a full and speedy return to constitutional order and send a clear and principled message against unconstitutional seizures of power", the Secretary-General says in a statement issued by his spokesperson.

Ban Ki-Moon reiterated the United Nations calls "for strict adherence to democratic principles and for the military in both countries to return to their barracks, refrain from any political involvement and to respect civilian authority and the rule of law."
 

The Secretary-General also stated that the UN is "working with ECOWAS to ensure close consultation and coordination with the UN and other regional and international partners as this process moves forward."

On this issue, he announced the participation of his Special Representative for West Africa, Said Djinnit, in the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council on Mali and Guinea-Bissau, to be held in Abidjan on 19 May as part of the "continuation of UN efforts to ensure the full restoration of constitutional rule in both Mali and Guinea-Bissau". "The Secretary-General is consulting broadly, directly and through his Special Representatives for West Africa and Guinea-Bissau, to help resolve these crises in a manner consistent with these principles", the statement says.