10 February 2012 - The United Nations Peacebulding Fund (PBF) today officially granted $2,8m to Guinea-Bissau Government in support to the Defense and Security Sector Reform and Socio-economic, Reintegration especially the implementation of the Pension Fund for military and security personnel.

The Pension Fund is one of the Defense and Security Sector Reform (SSR) components and was established in order to restructure the armed forces and security institutions through, among others, retirement and reintegration into civilian life of selected Guinea-Bissau military and members of the security forces.

The agreement was signed by Bissau-Guinean minister of Foreign Affairs, Mamadu Djalo Pires in presence of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNIOGBIS Joseph Mutaboba.

According to the minister, the UN contribution will help launch the SSR, especially the demobilization process, contributing to the Armed Forces modernization and avoiding military uprising as it occurs in 26 December 2011. Security sector reform is seen as the most crucial element to ensuring stability in Guinea-Bissau, which has been regularly affected by political and military instability.

For SRSG Mutaboba, the UN contribution is the first and should serve as a catalytic tool and bring on board other international partners support to the Pension Fund and SSR in general. "The reforms, also in justice and public administration, should soon follow and contribute to the country's development".

The UN has been supporting the implementation of Guinea-Bissau reforms of defense, security and justice through its agencies, namely PBF, UNDP, UNODC and UNIOGBIS.