Remarks by First Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation in explanation of vote on extending the mandate of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau
Russia voted in favour of UNSC resolution extending the UNIOGBIS mandate.
We expect that in accordance with this document, the restructuring and withdrawal of the mission by December 31 this year will be carried out gradually and in responsible manner. The resolution envisages that the United Nations country team, which will take over for UNIOGBIS in 2021, will have all necessary tools to facilitate the socio-economic development of Guinea Bissau and will contribute to the normalization of political life in the country, including implementation of relevant Government reforms provided for in the Conakry Agreement and the ECOWAS road map.
In view of the developments in Guinea-Bissau after the presidential elections, we call on all social and political forces to act responsibly, in order to overcome their differences and create conditions to ease political tensions.
The resolution stipulates that in six months, the Council will take concrete measures on reviewing the Security Council sanctions against Guinea-Bissau. In that regard, we would like to emphasize that the restrictive measures imposed in 2012 have nothing to do with the current situation in the country. The armed forces, as was demonstrated by the recent elections, remain out of politics. The constitutional order was restored back in 2015. Thus, we can confidently state that sanctions have achieved their goal, and long time ago. Their maintenance, given the withdrawal of the United Nations presence in the country, is perplexing and could undermine the credibility of the Security Council.
Thank you, Mr. President.
