afrol News, 4 March - Security sector reform remains the most crucial element to ensuring stability in Guinea-Bissau. This is according to a new United Nations report, which calls on the international community to support the country’s efforts towards this goal.

In his latest report on developments in Guinea-Bissau and on the activities of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office there, known as UNIOGBIS, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon calls security sector reform the “centrepiece” of priority stabilisation goals in the West African nation.

“I urge national authorities and international partners not to lose sight of the holistic nature of security sector reform and to ensure that international assistance addresses not only defence sector needs but also the needs of the security and justice sectors,” he wrote.

He said he is encouraged that the national authorities are taking measures to pave the way for creating the legal framework for the reforms, while highlighting the need for sustained international support for the country’s efforts.

“In these times of global financial crisis and competing priorities, I reiterate my earnest appeal to the international community to generously support the efforts of Guinea-Bissau to restructure and ensure the creation of a comprehensive security sector that is effective, financially sustainable and capable of meeting present and future challenges, including the fight against organized crime and drug trafficking,” he said.

Last November, the top UN envoy in Guinea-Bissau warned that the prospects for political stability in the country appear to be good but are threatened by drug trafficking and organised crime.

“Although there seems to be a downward trend in the trafficking of cocaine through West Africa over the past few months, drug trafficking and organized crime remain a significant challenge for stability in Guinea-Bissau and the sub-region,” Joseph Mutaboba, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of UNIOGBIS, told a meeting of the Security Council.

The Secretary-General also added in his report that the UN is expanding its efforts towards reforming policing and internal security in the country, and urges all partners to join forces with the world body to allow the international community to ‘deliver as one’ in this critical area.

In the report, he also lauds the progress that has been made on the political and economic fronts in Guinea-Bissau, where a series of political assassinations in 2009 had threatened security and stability. Malam Bacai Sanhá won the presidential elections that were held in June and July.

“President Sanhá’s call for change towards a culture of positive peace to replace the polarization and divisiveness that have hampered efforts to heal and rebuild Guinea-Bissau society is encouraging,” Mr Ban states, urging the Government and the National Assembly to continue to “foster synergies for national dialogue” with society as a whole to achieve genuine and lasting reconciliation.

Commending the efforts made towards improving economic and fiscal management, the Secretary-General says it is encouraging that the Government has made economic and fiscal reform a national priority since economic recovery is a key component for any viable strategy to reduce instability.

He adds that recent developments signal a “clear commitment and willingness” on the part of international financial institutions, the UN Peacebuilding Commission and other international partners to collaborate with the Government.

Guinea-Bissau is one of four countries currently on the agenda of the Peacebuilding Commission – along with Burundi, Sierra Leone and the Central African Republic (CAR) – which was established in 2005 to help countries emerging from conflict make an irreversible transition from war to sustainable peace.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Tweet

Printable version

On the Afrol News front page now

UN will not monitor human rights in Western Sahara afrol News - The US has backed down on its demand that UN peacekeepers in Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara also shall monitor the human rights situation after Moroccan sources threatened to scale down relations with Washington. Read more

Central African Republic

Central African Republic falling apart afrol News - One month after the rebel movement Séléka took over power in the Central African Republic, unrest is spreading in the country. The new leader lacks control of his forces, which continue looting and abusing civilians. Read more

Kenya

Kenyatta secures tight victory in Kenya afrol News - The official election results in Kenya have finally been announced, and Uhuru Kenyatta managed to win the first poll round outright with a narrow 50.7 percent. But the main opponent, PM Raila Odinga, is filing a vote rigging complaint to the courts. Read more

Cape Verde Cape Verde to produce dragon fruit afrol News - Cape Verde authorities have invested large sums to diversify the arid country's agricultural sector. Now, the dragon fruit, originating in tropical America, is being introduced for the first commercial production in Africa. Read more

Egypt Even governors in Pharaonic Egypt died in their 20s afrol News - Researchers have analysed more than 200 mummies from ancient Egypt, finding that even high dignitaries were poorly nourished and had infectious diseases. The typical governor in Pharaonic Egypt died before he was 30 years old. Read more