Addis Ababa, April 13, 2012: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Jean Ping, has learned with deep concern about the attack by soldiers against the residences of the Acting President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Mr. Raimundo Pereira, and Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior.

The Chairperson of the Commission notes the recurrence of blatant acts of indiscipline within the Bissau-Guinean Army, and notes with regret that these events are occurring just before the launch of the campaign for the second round of the early presidential election. The Chairperson of the Commission expresses the strong condemnation by the AU of these outrageous acts, which undermine the efforts to stabilize the situation in Guinea-Bissau and tarnish the image of the country and Africa.

The Chairperson of the Commission stresses the principled position of the AU on the rejection of political assassination and unconstitutional changes of Government, and urges all concerned in the military in Guinea-Bissau to honor their commitment to serve under the authority of the constitutionally-established institutions of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau. The Chairperson of the Commission stresses that the AU will not accept any unconstitutional seizure of power and attempt at undermining the democratic process in Guinea-Bissau.

 
The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates the commitment of the AU, in close collaboration with ECOWAS and its international partners, to assist Guinea-Bissau in the process of consolidating and deepening democracy, and its willingness to continue to support all efforts to promote peace, national reconciliation and justice in the country.

 

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