UN
24 Mar
2010
UNIOGBIS supports Guinea-Bissau’s new police model
24 March 2010 - UNIOGBIS and Guinea-Bissau Government today signed an agreement for the construction of a model police station in 'Bairro Militar', one of the capital's most populated neighborhood, within the establishment of a new police model for the country.
The new police station model, which includes a community police component, is part of the Government Security Sector Reform (SSR) program.
Today signature's ceremony was co-chaired by the Minister of Interior, Ms. Hadja Satú Camará and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Joseph Mutaboba.
In her statement, the minister reiterated the Government's commitment to carrying out SSR implementation and called for a professionalized police force. Mr. Mutaboba reiterated the UN's commitment and readiness to work in close collaboration with national stakeholders and the international community to continue supporting political stabilization in Guinea-Bissau. He also considered the establishment of the new police model as a first step towards "justice for all" in the country.
The construction of the 'Bairro Militar' model police station, whose ground-breaking ceremony on 13 March was chaired by Guinea-Bissau Prime Minister, Carlos Gomes Junior and by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, is estimated to cost around 165,000 dollars.
According to the Ministry of Interior, two additional model police stations will also be constructed in Bissau neighborhoods of Quélélé and Bandim.
The UN, through the integrated efforts of UNIOGBIS and the UN country team, will give priority to the provision of support for SSR implementation within its newly established SSR unit, in partnership with the Government of the Guinea-Bissau and other national stakeholders.
