Commending ECOWAS efforts and leadership in a press statement, the Security Council welcomed the visit on 23-24 April of its high-level Ministerial mission to Bissau with the objective of assessing and evaluating the status of the implementation of the Conakry Agreement, in this regard, the members of the Council stressed the need for the continued international community’s support and engagement in supporting the regional efforts with the view to resolve the political impasse.

The members of the Security Council took note of the Final communique of ECOWAS high-level Ministerial and reaffirmed the centrality of the Conakry Agreement as a primary framework for the resolution of the political crisis. The Council called upon the Bissau-Guinean stakeholders to refrain from actions that could escalate tensions and incite violence and to strictly respect and comply with the Conakry Agreement and the ECOWAS road map in addressing their differences and the challenges facing their country.

To this effect, the members of the Council invited the President Vaz to appoint a Prime Minister whose selection respects the provisions of the Conakry Agreement.

The Council expressed concern about the situation of the civilian population in Guinea-Bissau, which is suffering the negative effects of the political crisis, and urged all political actors to put the interest of the people of Guinea-Bissau above all other consideration and in this regard, called upon Bissau-Guinean leaders, including the President, the Speaker of Parliament and heads of political parties to abide by their commitment to bring political stability to Guinea -Bissau in engaging in genuine dialogue, including on the Constitutional review, and finding common ground for a swift resolution of the political crisis.

They recalled that the implementation of the Agreement could be a way to restore the confidence of partners and enable the international community to fulfil the pledges made during the Brussels Conference in March 2015 in support of the programme “terra ranka” and for the development of Guinea-Bissau.

They commended the defense and security forces for their continued non-interference in the political situation in Guinea-Bissau, and strongly urged them to maintain the same posture.

The members of the Council also commended the work of ECOWAS security mission in Guinea Bissau (ECOMIB) in enhancing stability in Guinea Bissau and took note of the decision of the ECOWAS Authority to withdraw ECOMIB by 30 June 2017, starting from 28 April and urged the international community to give all necessary support to ensure a complete and seamless transition of security architecture to the national defense and security forces.

The members of the Council recalled the important role of the PBC in supporting sustainable peace in Guinea-Bissau and welcomed its active engagement with relevant stakeholders on the ground as well as with regional organizations to support efforts towards a political solution.

The members of the Council expressed deep concern over the challenges posed by international organized crime and other major threats, including drug trafficking in the country, as well as violent extremism, which can be conducive to terrorism, and terrorist threats.

Finally the members of the Security Council expressed their support to Special Representative Modibo Touré as well as the sub-regional organizations to continue to coordinate and work closely with all stakeholders for the resolution of the political crisis in Guinea-Bissau.