AU Tells Army to Stay Out of Politics

(Press Release)--The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 192nd meeting held on 10 June 2009, considered the report of the mission undertaken by the Council to West Africa, from 24 April to 1st May 2009, during which the Mission visited Guinea Bissau and Côte d’Ivoire, in order to evaluate the political and security situation and the state of preparations for the forthcoming presidential elections in these two countries, and adopted the following decision:

Council,

1. Takes note of the Report [PSC/PR/2 (CXCIII)] on the mission, which visited Guinea Bissau on 26, and 27 April 2009, and the briefing made by the Commission on the recent developments in the situation in this country;

2. Strongly condemns the assassination, on 5 June 2009, of Mr. Baciro Dabo, candidate in the presidential election scheduled for 28 June 2009, and Mr. Helder Proenca, former Minister of Defense, as well as the acts of violence and threats against other candidates in the presidential election;

3. Stresses the need for an independent and credible investigation to shed light on the series of political assassinations in the country since March 2009, and reiterates its support to the establishment of a commission of inquiry whose nature and mandate must reflect the requirements of establishing the truth and determining those involved;

4. Expresses its deep concern over the risk posed by the upsurge of violence to peace, security and stability in Guinea Bissau ahead of the presidential election and stresses the need to create the conditions necessary for holding a transparent, free and fair election.

In this respect, Council urges the security and armed forces to refrain from any interference in political issues and to take the necessary measures to guarantee the security of the candidates and the electoral process, as well as that of the population in general, within the framework of the joint commission created to this effected.

Council also requests the Commission, in consultation with ECOWAS, to submit to it recommendations on immediate measures to be taken to ensure that optimal security conditions and the necessary serenity are created for the presidential election, as well as on the long-term support to be provided towards the stabilisation of the country, including security sector reform, the fight against drug trafficking and post-conflict reconstruction and development;

5. Expresses support to the efforts of the Chairperson of the Commission, including through his Special Envoy for Guinea Bissau, Mr. João Bernardo de Miranda, in support to the stabilization process in that country and encourages him to continue these efforts and requests him to intensify coordination with ECOWAS and the UN to create the necessary conditions for a successful way out of the crisis in Guinea Bissau;

6. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

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