A UN peacebuilding mission’s spokesperson yesterday said calm had returned to Guinea-Bissau and the Government is functioning normally two days after a group of military officers attacked the army headquarters in an attempt to seize weapons
“The situation is calm… the Government is also functioning, and today Guinea-Bissau received the visit of the African Union [AU] Commission’s President, Jean Ping,” said Vladimir Monteiro, spokesperson for the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS).
Vigilance learnt that Mr. Ping met with the national authorities and international partners, including UN representatives, to discuss the situation, particularly the peacebuilding process and security sector reform
People are said to be working, public transports are functioning, but at the same time there are several statements at civil society level, for example, regarding the 26 December events.
“People are working, public transports are functioning, but at the same time there are several statements at civil society level, for example, regarding the 26 December events. We also have some political parties taking a stand on what happened,” he added.
Mr. Monteiro cited a Government statement which said that a group of soldiers had on Monday attacked the armed forces headquarters in a bid to seize weapons. The group also attacked the offices of the chief-of-general staff. A number of security and defence officials were arrested following Monday’s events, and there are reports that some civilians have also been taken into custody, he said.
UNIOGBIS officials said to be in touch with the national authorities to seek a complete explanation of that exactly happened. They have also met with representatives of the international community in the country to discuss how to address the situation, according to Mr. Monteiro.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had earlier condemned the use of force to settle differences in Guinea-Bissau and called for the respect of the lawful civilian authorities in the West African country.
According to a UN source Mr. Ban, in a statement issued by his spokesperson, encouraged the country’s authorities to respect due process in the investigation of the reported events, saying he is following the situation. He reaffirmed the support of the UN to the peacebuilding process in the country.
“The primacy of the lawful civilian authorities according to the constitution must be respected,” the statement noted.
