Addis Ababa, 1 July 2015: The African Union (AU) Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Smaïl Chergui, met yesterday, at the AU Headquarters, with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and of Defense of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Ambassador Mario Lopes da Rosa and Madam Cadi Seidi, respectively. The two Ministers were in Addis Ababa to attend the Peace and Security Council meeting that took place on 30 June 2015, to discuss, among other issues, the situation in Guinea-Bissau.

The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on the situation in Guinea-Bissau and the efforts being deployed towards consolidating stability and promoting national development, following the successful holding of presidential and legistlative elections, in April and May 2014, which marked the end of the transition in that country. The two Ministers emphasized the progress made in the implementation of vital reforms in Guinea-Bissau, including the reform of the security sector and the justice system, as well as economic recovery. They expressed appreciation to the AU for its continued support to their country, particulalry during the transition, including through the Special Represenative of the Chairperson of the Commission and Head of the AU Liaison Office in Guinea-Bissau.

On his part, Commissioner Chergui, on behalf of the AU, welcomed the steps taken by the Government of Guinea-Bissau to consolidate the gains made during the transition. At the same time, he expressed concern at the recent developments in the country, marked by tensions among political leaders. He emphasized that, if not urgently addressed, the current situation could undermine the progress achieved to date and further complicate the efforts to mobilize necessary international support to enable Guinea-Bissau to successfully address the challenges at hand. He urged the Bissau-Guinean stakeholders to make renewed efforts to overcome the current challenges, promote greater cohesion and expedite the steps taken towards security sector reform, promotion of justice and reconciliation, as well as economic recovery. He assured his interlocutors of the AU’s continued support in this respect. 

Finally, Commissioner Chergui and the two Ministers stressed the urgent need for the international community to fulfill the pledges made during the donor’s roundtable for Guinea-Bissau, held in Brussels on 25 March 2015.

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