Political
discord in Guinea-Bissau could hamper the first-ever peaceful transfer
of power to a democratically elected leader, the top UN official in the
West African country told the Security Council on Friday.
Rosine
Sori-Coulibaly updated ambassadors on developments in the wake of the
November 2019 presidential election and subsequent run-off, won by
ex-army general Umaro Sissoco Embaló, a former Prime Minister and
candidate for the Movement for Democratic Change (MADEM-G15).
Ruling party candidate Domingos Simões Pereira, also an ex-Prime
Minister, contested the outcome, which the National Electoral Commission
upheld. His party, known by the acronym PAIGC, later filed a complaint
with the Supreme Court over the verification process.
“As a result, the legal process over the electoral outcome has yet
to be resolved, in order to allow for the first-ever peaceful transfer
of power to a democratically elected Head of State in the country,” Ms.
Sori-Coulibaly said.
“However, given the deep mistrust between the two political camps,
divisions in the Executive branch, and shifting political alliances in
Parliament, the swearing in of the future President will unlikely bring
about stability.”
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
Rosine
Sori-Coulibaly, Special Representative for Guinea-Bissau and Head of
the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau,
briefs the Security Council meeting on the situation in Guinea-Bissau.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) called for the Supreme Court to finalize its work by 15 February.
Guinea-Bissau representative Maria Antonieta Pinto Lopes D'Alva expressed certainty that the deadline will be met.
“The people of Guinea-Bissau deserve a clear and positive closure of
this process so that they can see the light of hope for the future of
their children,” she said.
“We believe that only with the free, fair and transparent elections
we will be able to strengthen the democratic rule of law in our country,
where the sovereign will of the people can prevail.”
‘Window of opportunity' for peace and stability
As the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms.
Sori-Coulibaly also heads the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Support Office
in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS).
Through its good offices role, UNIOGBIS supported the presidential election and a legislative vote last March.
The UN has been present in Guinea-Bissau over the past two decades,
working to strengthen national institutions and consolidate peace and
democracy in the former Portuguese colony, whose post-independence
history has been marked by coups and political chaos.
Hopes were high that the 2019 elections would end a political crisis
that began in 2015, when President José Mário Vaz dissolved the
Government headed by Mr. Pereira, then Prime Minister.
UNIOGBIS will complete its mandate at the end of this year, but the UN will maintain a presence in the country.
Political tensions aside, Ms. Sori-Coulibaly said Guinea-Bissau
should be commended for completing the electoral cycle on time, and for
its progress in areas such as combating drug trafficking and organized
crime.
However, she emphasized the need for continued international support and engagement, given the political divide.
“The upcoming post-electoral period could represent a window of
opportunity for sustainable peace and stability, national cohesion and
reconciliation, should there be political will and commitment by
national stakeholders,” she stated.
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The head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) has underlined the Organization’s support for Guinea-Bissau following the conclusion of its presidential election.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) called for the Supreme Court to finalize its work by 15 February. 
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