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Guinea-Bissau

Joint communiqué of the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union and the United Nations on the situation in Guinea-Bissau

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Abuja, Addis Ababa and New York, 25 October 2018 - The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union and the United Nations are continuing to closely monitor the situation in Guinea-Bissau. The three organizations welcome the progress made toward stabilizing the country, thanks to the engagement of Guinea-Bissau stakeholders and the support provided by ECOWAS, in conjunction with the African Union and the United Nations. They note in particular the crucial role played by Professor Alpha Condé, President of the Republic of Guinea, in his capacity as ECOWAS Mediator.

The three organizations call for renewed efforts to ensure that the legislative elections of 18 November 2018, which will lead to the renewal of the People’s National Assembly, are held on time and under the requisite conditions of transparency, regularity and credibility. They urge all stakeholders to work towards creating the necessary conditions for the smooth running of the electoral process. In this regard, they stress the imperative of maintaining institutional and governmental stability, to ensure that all efforts are devoted to the smooth running of the elections. The interest of Guinea-Bissau must be the paramount consideration.

The three organizations call upon African countries and the international community as a whole to mobilize the resources and logistical means required for the smooth running of the electoral process. The elections of 18 November will constitute a milestone in consolidating the gains achieved in Guinea-Bissau. In this context, the support of the international community remains more necessary than ever.

The three organizations express their appreciation to the African countries, including Nigeria, and the bilateral and multilateral partners that have already provided support for the electoral process, and hope fervently that their call for expeditious and increased international mobilization will be heard.