UN chief concerned over political crisis in Guinea Bissau

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon over the weekend expressed deep concern over the political crisis in Guinea Bissau.

Ban expressed his concerns in a report published in Bissau by the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea Bissau.

In a document that will be presented to the UN Security Council on Tuesday, the secretary-general said the situation had affected normal functioning of public institutions, as well as execution of key reforms and provision of basic services to the population.

"National political actors should work together to end instability and search for lasting and consensual solutions to the crisis," Ban recommended.

He singled out Guinea Bissau's judiciary which he termed as "fragile." "There has been no judicial progress, especially with regards to investigations on serious human rights violations," Ban said.

With regards to the defense and security sectors, he said they had carried out their duties "in a responsible manner and in accordance with the law."

Ban further hailed the coordinated and harmonized approach taken by international partners to promote stability and prosperity in Guinea Bissau. Endit