23 February 2010 - A joint mission of United Nations and African Union (AU) today met with Guinea-Bissau authorities during a visit aimed to assess the country's situation and to express their organizations solidarity.

Mr. Ramtane Lamamra, AU commissioner for Peace and Stability, Mr. Said Djinnit, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa, accompanied by Mr. Joseph Mutaboba, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Guinea-Bissau were received in audience by Bissau-Guinean president Malam Bacai Sanha.

Th7-hour visit of the UN and AU officials also included meetings with the ministers of Defence and Presidency of the Councils of ministers as well as diplomats in Bissau.

The country's current political situation and reforms, in particular the security sector reform, were among the topics discussed between the UN and AU officials and Guinea-Bissau leaders.

Talking to the press, MM. Ramtane and Djinnit said that they came to Bissau "to be informed and to express their solidarity" to the country as well as they highlighted the coordination between ECOWAS (Economic Community of West Africa States), AU and the UN to address regional issues, in particular in Guinea-Bissau.

The Security Council will meet on 5 March 2010 to analyze the Secretary-General's report on Guinea-Bissau with Mr. Mutaboba briefing the Council members.