Security Council Issues Presidential Statement Welcoming Appointment

of Transitional Government in Guinea

A month after leaders in Guinea signed a deal to end the political crisis sparked when Government forces killed at least 150 unarmed protesters at a rally last September, the Security Council today welcomed the appointment of the new transitional Government, and urged all Guinean stakeholders to work together in steering the West African nation towards democratic elections by July 2010.

In a statement read out by Gérard Araud (France), its President for February, the 15-nation body also welcomed the 15 January Joint Ouagadougou Declaration, which provides for the establishment of a national unity Government led by a civilian Prime Minister designated by the opposition, and the holding of elections within six months.  That accord also commits the transitional Head of State, members of the Conseil national pour la démocratie et le développement, the Prime Minister, members of the unity Government and the active defence and security forces not to stand in the forthcoming presidential election.

The Council further welcomed the appointment, on 21 January, of Jean-Marie Doré as Prime Minister, and the designation of a unity Government on 15 February.  It called on all stakeholders to implement the Joint Declaration in full, and to engage actively in the transition towards the restoration of the normal constitutional order through the holding of elections within six months.

In addition, the Council called on the international community to support the Guinean authorities, led by Interim President Sékouba Konaté and Prime Minister Doré, “including with regard to comprehensive security and justice sector reform, upon request from the Guinean authorities”.

While welcoming those recent positive developments, Council members remained concerned about the situation, recalling that they had strongly condemned the violence committed on 28 September 2009 and its aftermath.  They urged the national authorities to prevent any further violence, and to uphold the rule of law, including the promotion, protection and respect for human rights and due process, stressing their obligation towards the victims and witnesses.  The Council also emphasized the responsibility of States to comply with their obligations to end impunity.

The Council took note that the International Contact Group had invited relevant international stakeholders, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union and the Mediator, to consider deploying, as soon as possible and in consultation with the national authorities, a possible joint civil-military mission in Guinea with a view to discussing processes for defence and security sector reform, and contributing to secure conditions for the electoral process.

The meeting began at 12:47 p.m. and ended at 12:56 p.m.