Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

Statement by First Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Polyanskiy at the UN Security Council Briefing on the situation in Guinea-Bissau

We thank ASG Bintou Keita and Chair of the PBC configuration on Guinea-Bissau Mauro Vieira for the information they shared.

We welcome positive dynamic of the developments in Guinea-Bissau. We commend that early this year the authorities and major political forces of the country managed to overcome the existing contradictions and hold parliamentary elections in March that were properly organized. We point out the role the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau played in preparing the elections.

It is no secret that the period that came after the elections was marked by certain difficulties. It was the period when the leadership of the new parliament and government was being set up. However, we believe there is nothing surprising or extraordinary about it – this is a normal democratic process that is basically characteristic of many other countries. Besides, all those problems have been resolved by now.

At the moment the country is approaching a new frontier. On 24 November it will go through presidential elections. We believe these elections, when organized at the proper level, can become game changer for the modern history of Guinea-Bissau.  The country will finally turn over the page of lasting political turbulence, and create conditions for steady movement towards social and economic development. At this landmark moment we call upon all public and political forces to behave responsibly, uphold national interests and seek to solve any disputes as soon as possible.

We are convinced that at some point the question of lifting Guinea-Bissau sanctions should come up for discussion, because they are out of date. The present-day situation has nothing in common with the events of 2012. We respect the decision of the military to stay out of politics.

We still proceed from the assumption that the issue of restructuring the UNIOGBIS should be addressed in a well-weighted manner. We support gradual drawdown of its work, however no sooner than at the end of 2020 as stipulated by resolution 2458. By that time the UN country configuration will have to receive the tools needed to both promote development of Guinea-Bissau, and provide assistance in addressing such challenges as drug traffic, corruption, and fine-tuning of work of public institutes.

In conclusion, let me welcome the newly appointed Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Guinea-Bissau - Ms.Sori-Coulibaly, and assure of our readiness for constructive cooperation with the UN Team in resolving the remaining problems in this State in West Africa.

Thank you.