On 28 February 2020, the UN Security Council passed resolution 2512 extending the mandate of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Mission in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) for the last time, until 31 December 2020.

In passing the Resolution, the Security Council welcomed the presidential elections held peacefully and within the legally-mandated timeframe but expressed its concern for the citizens who are suffering the negative effects of the political crisis and urged all political actors to put the interest of the Bissau-Guinean people above all other consideration.

While praising the continued engagement of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General Rosine Sori-Coulibaly, and the international partners involved in the peacebuilding process in Guinea-Bissau (African Union, CPLP, ECOWAS, European Union, United Nations), the Council stressed that the Bissau-Guinean authorities have primary responsibility for the provision of stability and security throughout the territory of the country.

The Council also observed that significant challenges remain, including combating drug trafficking and related transnational organized crime, the fight against impunity, the promotion of the rule of law, the protection of human rights, the active advancement of gender equality and empowerment of women, as well as socioeconomic development.

For the next ten months, until the end of its mandate, the Mission will continue implementing its phased drawdown, which includes transition and handover of residual tasks to the UN Country team, the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), as well as national and international partners, with support from the peacebuilding Fund.

The new mandate determines that UNIOGBIS should continue to operate as a streamlined good offices special political mission, led by a Special Representative at the Assistant Secretary-General level and should focus on the following priorities:

            (a)       Supporting the full implementation of the Conakry Agreement and the ECOWAS Six-Point Roadmap, and facilitating an inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation process, strengthening democratic governance, particularly with regards to the implementation of urgent reforms, including the reform of: the Constitution, the Electoral law, and the Framework Law on Political Parties;

            (b)       Providing support, including technical assistance, to Bissau-Guinean national authorities in expediting and completing the review of Guinea-Bissau’s Constitution;

In addition, the Council mandated  UNIOGBIS and the Special Representative to  continue to assist, coordinate and lead international efforts in supporting the national authorities and stakeholders in in strengthening democratic institutions and enhancing the capacity of state organs to function effectively and constitutionally; promotion and protection of human rights as well as undertaking human rights monitoring and reporting; combating drug trafficking and transnational organized crime, in close cooperation with UNODC; incorporating a gender perspective into peacebuilding, in accordance with Security Council resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 2242 (2015) and 2493 (2019); and to implement the National Action Plan on Gender in order to ensure the involvement, representation and participation of women at all levels, including through the provision of gender advisers; and in close cooperation with the PBC, assist in the mobilization, harmonization and coordination of international assistance for the implementation of the reforms outlined in the Conakry agreement and the ECOWAS roadmap;

Motivated to work hard with her team to implement the new mandate, SRSG Rosine Sori-Coulibaly, plans to establish a high-level platform that brings together international partners and national authorities to regularly discuss, promote and accompany the country in its reform process, as well as inform on the UN transition and ensure Guinea-Bissau is kept high on the international community agenda.

“I hope that the situation evolves positively so that we can start working closely with the Government and the partners move forward with the reconfiguration, the implementation of the reforms essential for peacebuilding and sustainable development in Guinea-Bissau”, said the SRSG.

The Security Council’s also expressed its readiness to take additional measures to respond to further worsening of the situation in Guinea Bissau.