UN Security Council voices "serious concern" over political impasse in Guinea-Bissau

The UN Security Council on Sunday voiced "serious concern" over the political impasse in Guinea-Bissau and urged national actors in the West African country to seek a political solution to the crisis through dialogue.

"The members of the Council expressed their serious concern over the political impasse in Guinea-Bissau and urged national actors to abide by the Constitution and the rule of law, while striving to find a political solution to the crisis through good-faith dialogue," the 15-nation UN body said in a press statement issued here.

"They urged the security forces of Guinea-Bissau to maintain their non-interference in the political situation, to continue the restraint shown in this regard, and maintain respect for civilian control," the statement said.

The press statement came after the council heard a briefing by the special representative of the UN secretary-general and head of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS), Modibo Ibrahim Toure, who provided an update on the situation in Guinea-Bissau on Aug. 30.

"The members of the Security Council stressed the urgent need to ensure a functioning government and welcomed the ongoing dialogue among key national stakeholders," the statement said.

"They further urged them to work towards that end and underlined the importance of ensuring stability throughout the current parliamentary term."

Meanwhile, the statement said, "The members of the Security Council also noted the challenge of fighting illicit drug trafficking and organized crimes and urged positive engagement by the Bissau-Guinean authorities and the support by the international donors in this regard."

"The members of the Security Council reiterated their commitment to continue to monitor the current political crisis and expressed their readiness to take necessary measures to respond to further worsening of the situation in Guinea-Bissau," the statement.

The longer the political crisis continues in Guinea Bissau, the more likely the country could see setbacks to its development and economic gains, Toure warned in June when he was speaking to the Security Council.

On May 26, President Josd Mfirio Vaz of Guinea-Bissau appointed Baciro Djfi as prime minister through a presidential decree. Djfi's Cabinet was sworn in on June 2. However, the dismissed Cabinet led by Carlos Correia refused to leave the Government Palace. Endit