The President of the Security Council made the statement at the 8045^th meeting of the Security Council, held today.

“The Security Council takes note of the briefing of 24 August 2017 on “The situation in Guinea-Bissau” of the Special Representative, Modibo Ibrahima Touré, and of the reports of the Presidents of the Sanctions Committee 2048 and of the Guinea-Bissau configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission following their recent visits to Guinea-Bissau,” the statement reads.

The President of the Security Council says: “The Security Council expresses its deep concern about the unresolved political impasse in Guinea-Bissau due to the inability of its political leaders to reach a lasting and consensual solution, as illustrated by the failure of the National Assembly to hold plenary sessions since January 2016, and by the failure of four consecutive governments to adopt their programme of work and national budget.”

Furthermore, the Security Council expresses concern about “the negative effects of the political crisis on the civilian population in Guinea-Bissau and urges all political actors to put the interests of the people of Guinea-Bissau above all other consideration and, in this regard, calls upon Bissau-Guinean political leaders, including the President, the Speaker of Parliament and the heads of political parties, to abide by their commitment to bring political stability to Guinea-Bissau by engaging in genuine dialogue, including on the constitutional review, finding common ground for a swift resolution of the political crisis, and refraining from all rhetoric and acts likely to undermine peace and national cohesion. ”

The Security Council recalls that the implementation of the Conakry Agreement of 14 October 2016, based on the ECOWAS Six-points road map entitled “Agreement on the Resolution of the Political Crisis in Guinea-Bissau”, “is the primary framework for a peaceful resolution of the political crisis, as it offers an historic opportunity for national authorities and political leaders, as well as civil society, jointly to ensure political stability and build sustainable peace and welcomes, in this regard, the political consultations which have taken place with the support of the Women’s Group of Facilitators. ”

“The Security Council underlines, the importance of the holding of and preparations for legislative and presidential elections, currently scheduled for 2018 and 2019 respectively, in particular the updating of the voter registration list. The Security Council stresses that implementation of the Conakry Agreement will bring Guinea-Bissau closer to political stability and bolster public confidence in advance of election. ”