Security Council resolution 2404 (2018) [on extension of the mandate of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) until 28 Feb. 2019]
Symbol: S/RES/2404 (2018)
Date: 2018-02-28
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/73 [186] GUINEA-BISSAU SITUATION
S/ X The situation in Guinea-Bissau.
Subjects: UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau|UN. Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau|Economic Community of West African States|PEACEBUILDING|GUINEA-BISSAU|HUMAN RIGHTS|POST-CONFLICT RECONSTRUCTION|SANCTIONS
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: BOLIVIA (PLURINATIONAL STATE OF)
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: CÔTE D'IVOIRE
vote: yes
country: EQUATORIAL GUINEA
vote: yes
country: ETHIOPIA
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: KAZAKHSTAN
vote: yes
country: KUWAIT
vote: yes
country: NETHERLANDS
vote: yes
country: PERU
vote: yes
country: POLAND
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: SWEDEN
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes

               United Nations                                                                    S/RES/2404 (2018)
               Security Council                                                  Distr.: General
                                                                                 28 February 2018




               Resolution 2404 (2018)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 8194th meeting, on
               28 February 2018

                    The Security Council,
                    Recalling its previous resolutions, statements of its President and press
               statements on the situation in Guinea-Bissau, in particular resolutions 1876 (2009),
               2030 (2011), 2048 (2012), 2092 (2013), 2103 (2013), 2157 (2014), 2186 (2014), 2203
               (2015), 2267 (2016) and 2343 (2017),
                    Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on Guinea-Bissau, dated
               9 February 2018 (S/2018/110) and the recommendations contained therein, and
               underscoring the Secretary-General’s positive appreciation of the role of his Special
               Representative and head of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in
               Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) in assisting the Government of Guinea -Bissau,
                      Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, unity and territorial
               integrity of Guinea Bissau, emphasizing that the Bissau-Guinean authorities have
               primary responsibility for the provision of stability and security throughout the
               territory of the country, and underscoring the importance of national ownership to
               implement inclusive political, peace and security related initiatives,
                     Stressing the continued need for the Government of Guinea-Bissau to take
               concrete steps towards ensuring peace, security and stability in the country, by
               inclusively resolving the Guinea Bissau political crisis, organizing free, fair, credible
               and transparent legislative and presidential elections as stipulated in the Bissau -
               Guinean Constitution, effectively reforming the security sector, tackling corruption
               through the reinforcement of the judicial system, improving public administration and
               State revenue management, as well as the supply of basic services to the population,
               promoting and protecting human rights and commending its commitment to the
               implementation of its national priorities,
                     Expressing concern regarding the ongoing protracted political and institutional
               crisis among the main political actors, including but not limited to the President, the
               Prime Minister, the Speaker of Parliament and Head of political parties in Guinea
               Bissau which has prevented the country from moving forward with ensuring peace
               and stability through implementing its national reform agenda and threatens to
               undermine the progress made since the restoration of constitutional order following
               the elections held in 2014,




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                     Expressing also concern for the situation of citizens of Guinea-Bissau, who are
               suffering the negative effects of the political crisis, and urging all political actors to
               put the interest of the Bissau-Guinean people above all other consideration,
                    Welcoming the continued engagement of the Special Representative of the
               Secretary-General, Modibo Ibrahim Touré, the President of the Republic of Togo, His
               Excellency Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the
               Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the President of the
               Republic of Guinea, His Excellency Alpha Conde, in his capacity of ECOWAS
               Mediator for Guinea-Bissau, the Special Representative of the African Union, Ovidio
               Pequeno, and other interlocutors in the search for a peaceful solution to the impasse
               and recalling the need for concerted action among the United Nations, ECOWAS, the
               African Union, the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), and the
               European Union (EU),
                    Welcoming also the continued efforts of the five international organizations
               involved in the peacebuilding process in Guinea-Bissau (African Union, CPLP,
               ECOWAS, European Union, United Nations) and supporting their appeals to all
               stakeholders in Guinea-Bissau, to respect the principles established in the UN Charter
               and their obligations under International Human Rights Treaties and to refrain from
               any public action or discourse likely to aggravate tensions in t he country,
                     Recalling, that the implementation of the Conakry Agreement of 14 October
               2016, based on the ECOWAS road map entitled “Agreement on the resolution of the
               political crisis in Guinea-Bissau”, is the primary framework for a peaceful resolution
               of the political crisis, as it offers an historic opportunity for national authorities and
               political leaders, as well as civil society, to jointly ensure political stability and build
               sustainable peace,
                    Commending the continued mediation efforts of ECOWAS to promote the
               implementation of the ECOWAS road map and the Conakry Agreement, as
               demonstrated by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Government, in
               Addis Ababa, on 27 January 2018, Inviting the President of Guinea -Bissau to appoint
               a consensus Prime Minister and the signatory parties to form a government in
               conformity with the Conakry Agreement, no later than 31 January 2018, and
               acknowledging the communique of 01 February 2018, following its high level
               mediation mission to Bissau and determination that the Conakry Agreement had not
               been respected, and, in this regard, its direction to the president of the commission to
               implement sanctions against any person or organization impeding the process for
               ending the crisis in Guinea Bissau and noting the ECOWAS Authority’s strong appeal
               to the African Union, CPLP, European Union and United Nations to support
               ECOWAS in the effective implementation of these sanctions,
                     Emphasizing the need for respect of democratic principles and stressing the
               importance of national reconciliation, inclusive dialogue and good governance,
               essential for the attainment of lasting peace in Guinea -Bissau, further stressing the
               importance of including all Bissau-Guineans ensuring the full and effective
               participation of women and youth in this process at national and local levels, while
               upholding the principles of separation of powers, rule of law, justice and combating
               impunity, and encouraging all stakeholders to engage in the process,
                    Noting that delays in the implementation of the Conakry Agreement have
               undermined the efforts of dialogue and the review of the applicable legal framework
               before the holding of the legislative and presidential elections in 2018 and 2019,
               respectively, and further taking note that the institutional paralysis, in particular of
               the National Assembly, has prevented progress in relation to the review of the
               Constitution,


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                 Stressing that the consolidation of peace and stability in Guinea-Bissau can only
           result from a consensual, inclusive and nationally o wned process, respect for
           constitutional order, priority reforms in the defence, security and justice sectors, the
           promotion of the rule of law, the protection of human rights, the promotion of
           socioeconomic development and the fight against impunity and d rug trafficking, in
           the framework of the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of
           Guinea-Bissau,
                 Reaffirming the importance of the continued non-interference of the defence and
           security forces in the political situation in Guinea-Bissau, and commending the
           restraint shown in this regard as well as the peacefulness of the people of Guinea -
           Bissau,
                Underscoring the importance of the Government of Guinea-Bissau, with the
           support of UNIOGBIS and international partners, to continue develop ing national
           security and rule of law institutions that are impartial, transparent, accountable and
           professional,
                 Stressing that all stakeholders in Guinea-Bissau should work to ensure short,
           medium and long-term stability through clear commitment and genuine inclusive
           political dialogue aimed at creating conditions conducive to finding viable and
           sustainable solutions to the country’s social, economic, political and military
           problems, which would facilitate the implementation of key reforms and the
           strengthening of State institutions,
                Encouraging continued efforts of the Government to ensure effective civilian
           control and oversight over the defence and security forces, as failure to do so could
           adversely affect the effective functioning of State institu tions, as a result of collusion
           between some political actors and the military leadership,
                Commending the efforts of ECOWAS in helping to sustain peace, security and
           development and to support the security sector reform (SSR) process in Guinea -
           Bissau namely through the activities of its Mission (ECOMIB),
                Welcoming the continued contribution of ECOMIB in promoting stability in
           Guinea-Bissau and encouraging the international community to continue supporting
           and assisting ECOMIB,
                 Encouraging the commitment, efforts of mediation and direct contacts of the
           African Union with the political actors of Guinea Bissau in view of stepping up the
           efforts to help overcome the current blockage of the political situation,
                 Reiterating its call on the Government of Guinea-Bissau to conduct transparent,
           independent and credible investigations into human rights violations and abuses, in
           accordance with international standards, and to hold those responsible accountable
           for their actions,
                 Reiterating its concern at the threat posed by drug trafficking, as well as
           trafficking in all forms, including trafficking in persons, and related transnational
           organized crime to peace and stability; and, in this regard, encouraging sustained
           efforts of the Government of Guinea-Bissau, ECOWAS, UNIOGBIS, the United
           Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and other relevant stakeholders in
           combating this issue,
                 Re-emphasizing the need to tackle the problem of drug trafficking in the
           countries of origin, transit and final destination on a basis of a common and shared
           responsibility, to tackle the world drug problem and related criminal activities; and,
           in this regard, stressing the need for increased coherence, coordination and efficiency
           among relevant partners to enhance their collective efforts, in particular through
           sharing of information, underlining that any lasting solution to instability in Guinea -

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               Bissau should include concrete actions to fight impunity and ensure that those
               responsible for politically motivated assassinations and other serious crimes such as
               breaches of constitutional order and drug trafficking-related activities are brought to
               justice, including through national judicial mechanisms,
                     Reiterating the importance and urgency of the continued evaluation capacity
               and support provided by the relevant United Nations entities and international,
               regional, sub-regional and bilateral partners for the long-term security and
               development of Guinea-Bissau, particularly towards the implementation of security
               and justice sectors reforms, the fight against transnational organized crime as well as
               the creation of an enabling environment for good governance and inclusive and
               sustainable social development, and in this regard, commending the important work
               UNODC in collaboration with relevant United Nations entities in Guinea -Bissau and
               the sub-region, and encouraging enhanced cooperation between UNODC and
               UNIOGBIS,
                     Urging Bissau-Guinean national stakeholders to demonstrate the necessary
               commitment to re-establish momentum for progress in key areas, as outlined in the
               programme “Terra Ranka” presented to the donor community at the Brussels round
               table held in March 2015,
                    Emphasizing the role of UNICEF working closely with government to create the
               proper conditions to provide education for the children of Guinea -Bissau,
                     Emphasizing the important role of women in prevention and resolution of
               conflicts and in peacebuilding, as recognized in resolutions 1325 (2000) and
               subsequent resolution on women, peace and security,
                     Emphasizing the cooperation between UNIOGBIS, national authorities and civil
               society organizations to increase women’s social and political participation in
               Guinea-Bissau and underlining that a gender perspective must continue to inform the
               implementation of all relevant aspects of the mandate of UNIOGBIS, including
               national reconciliation processes, institution building and to address the root causes
               of instability,
                     Reaffirming that Guinea-Bissau’s partners should continue to actively and
               closely coordinate their actions in support of the Government ’s efforts to address the
               country’s political, security and development challenges, and in this regard, recalling
               the coordinated and long-standing support provided by the country’s partners, namely
               those in the United Nations system, the African Union, ECOWAS, the Community of
               Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), the EU, the World Bank, and the African
               Development Bank, to the Government during the Internati onal Donor Conference
               for Guinea-Bissau held on 25 March 2015 in Brussels,
                     Welcoming the African Union Peace and Security Council Communiqué of its
               734th meeting, held on 14 November 2017, underscoring the need for credible
               elections, notably legislative elections in 2018 to be held according to legal timelines,
                     Welcoming the continued engagement of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC)
               with Guinea Bissau, and noting the briefing by the Chair of the PBC configuration
               for Guinea Bissau on 14 February 2018 reiterating its support to the Conakry
               Agreement, stressing the importance of holding free and fair elections in accordance
               with the Constitution of Guinea Bissau, and underlining the importance of renewing
               the mandate of UNIOGBIS of another year,
                    Reaffirming its full commitment to the consolidation of peace and stability in
               Guinea-Bissau,




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           Renewal of the mandate
                1.   Decides to extend the mandate of UNIOGBIS for a period of 12 months
           beginning on 1 March 2018 until 28 February 2019;
                 2.   Calls for the implementation of the recommendations of the strategic
           review mission regarding the need of UNIOGBIS to refocus its existing efforts
           towards political capacities in support of the SRSG’s good offices and to streamline
           its management structure, and encourages UNIOGBIS to operate in a more effective
           and efficient manner;
                 3.   Requests UNIOGBIS, including through the use of the good offices and
           political support of the Special Representative, to focus, in particular, on the
           following priorities:
                (a) Support the full implementation of the Conakry Agreement and the
           ECOWAS Roadmap, and facilitate an inclusive political dialogue and national
           reconciliation process, strengthening democratic governance, particularly with
           regards to the implementation of necessary urgent reforms;
                 (b) Support, through good offices the electoral process to ensure inclusive,
           free and credible legislative elections in 2018 within the legally mandated time frame;
                (c) Providing support, including by technical assistance, to national
           authorities in expediting and completing the review of Guinea -Bissau’s Constitution;
                 4.    Affirms that in addition to the abovementioned priorities, UNIOGBIS and
           the Special Representative will continue to assist, coordinate and lead international
           efforts in the following areas to ensure lasting peace and stability in Guinea Bissau:
                 (a) Providing support to the Government of Guinea-Bissau in strengthening
           democratic institutions and enhancing the capacity of state organs to function
           effectively and constitutionally;
                (b) Assisting national authorities and stakeholders in the promotion and
           protection of human rights as well as undertake human rights monitoring and
           reporting activities;
                (c) Providing strategic and technical advice and support to the Government of
           Guinea-Bissau to combat drug trafficking and transnational organized crime, in close
           cooperation with UNODC;
                 (d) Providing support to the Government of Guinea-Bissau to incorporate a
           gender perspective into peacebuilding, in line with Secur ity Council resolutions 1325
           (2000), 1820 (2008) and 2242 (2015); as well as implementation of the National
           Action Plan on Gender in order to ensure the involvement, representation and
           participation of women at all levels through inter alia the provision of gender advisers;
                (e) Support the Government of Guinea Bissau, in close cooperation with the
           United Nations Peacebuilding Commission, in the mobilization, harmonization and
           coordination of international assistance namely from African Union, ECOWAS,
           CPLP and the European Union, with view to upcoming elections;

           Political and human rights situation
                5.    Supports the efforts of ECOWAS to ensure a swift resolution of the crisis
           and took note of its decision of 4 February 2018 to impose sanctions against those
           obstructing the implementation of the Conakry Agreement, the only consensual
           framework to find a lasting solution to this crisis, whose prerequisite remains the
           appointment of a consensus Prime Minister and an inclusive Government;


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                     6.   Calls upon the Bissau-Guinea stakeholders to strictly respect and comply
               with the Conakry Agreement and the ECOWAS road map in addressing their
               differences and the challenges facing their country, and further calls upon the Bissau-Guinea stakeholders to refrain from actions and statements that could escalate
               tensions and incite violence;
                      7.   Urges all political actors to put the interest of the people of Guinea Bissau
               above all other consideration and in this regard, calls upon Bissau -Guinean leaders to
               strictly respect and comply with the Conakry Agreement and the Bissau 6 point
               roadmap in addressing their differences and the challenges facing their country,
               especially in view of stipulated legislative elections in 2018 and further calls upon
               the Bissau-Guinean stakeholders to refrain from actions and statements that could
               escalate tensions and incite violence;
                     8.    Stresses the importance of holding legislative elections within the legallymandated timeframe in 2018, and presidential elections in 2019; recalls the relevance
               of passing key reforms, as outlined in the Conakry Agreement, aimed at crea ting a
               conducive environment for the holding of legislative and presidential elections in
               2018 and 2019, reform of the electoral code and promulgation of a new law on
               political parties and requests UNIOGBIS to work closely with national authorities, as
               well as the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in support of the timely conduct
               of these elections, and to strengthen democracy and good governance;
                    9.    Calls upon the authorities of Guinea-Bissau and all stakeholders, including
               the military, political parties, and civil society to engage in inclusive, genuine
               dialogue, and work together to consolidate progress made so far, and to address the
               root causes of instability with particular attention to political -military dynamics,
               constitutional review, ineffective state institutions and rule of law, impunity and
               human rights violations and abuses, poverty and lack of access to basic services;
                    10. Underscores the need for inclusive dialogue of all stakeholders to
               consolidate peace and stability in Guinea-Bissau and calls upon the national
               authorities to expedite the review of Guinea-Bissau’s Constitution;
                    11. Calls on the security and defence services to continue to submit
               themselves fully to civilian control;
                    12. Commends the important efforts of ECOWAS and encourages ECOWAS
               to continue extending its political support to the authorities and political leaders of
               Guinea Bissau through the use of good offices and mediation;
                    13. Encourages ECOWAS and CPLP to take the necessary steps towards
               organizing a meeting of the International Contact Group on Guinea-Bissau, in
               consultation with the United Nations, EU, and all stakeholders;
                     14. Takes note of the human rights situation in the country and urges the
               authorities of Guinea-Bissau to take all necessary measures to promote and protect
               human rights, put an end to impunity, initiate investigations to identify the
               perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses, including those against women
               and children, and bring them to justice and take action to protect witnes ses in order
               to ensure due process;
                     15. Deplores the reported lack of respect for the right of peaceful assembly as
               recognized by the Constitution of Guinea-Bissau, as well as the legal instruments of
               ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations on the matter and urges all
               Guinea-Bissau authorities to ensure strict respect for their obligations under
               international human rights laws;
                    16. Welcomes the joint efforts by international partners, in particular the
               United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, EU and CPLP, to enhance cooperation in

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           support of the Government in Guinea-Bissau and encourages them to continue to
           work together towards the country’s stabilization in accordance with the priority
           structural reforms established by the government, and in thi s regard, recognizes the
           role of the Peacebuilding Commission in enhancing these efforts with a view to
           supporting the long-term peacebuilding priorities of Guinea-Bissau;
                 17. Reiterates the importance of the implementation of defence and security
           sector reforms as a crucial element for long-term stability in Guinea-Bissau and
           further encourages coordinated action by all relevant sub -regional, regional and
           international partners of Guinea-Bissau in this field in order to obtain expeditious and
           positive results;
                 18. Welcomes the extension by ECOWAS of the mandate of ECOMIB until
           31 March 2018 to enable the political actors in Guinea-Bissau to effectively
           implement the Conakry Agreement, commends the crucial role of ECOMIB in
           securing the state institutions and in supporting SSR, expresses strong appreciation
           for its contribution to stability in Guinea-Bissau and encourages ECOWAS to
           consider a further extension of its mandate, supports its continuation throughout the
           electoral cycles in 2018 and 2019 and urges bilateral, regional and international
           partners to consider providing financial assistance to support ECOWAS in sustaining
           the deployment of ECOMIB, commends the financial support provided by the EU and
           welcomes its willingness to consider options for providing further support to
           ECOMIB;
                 19. Calls upon the authorities of Guinea-Bissau to continue to actively reform
           and strengthen the judicial system, while ensuring the separation of powers and access
           to justice for all citizens;
                 20. Reiterates its call upon the authorities of Guinea-Bissau to implement and
           review national legislations and mechanisms to more effectively combat transnational
           organized crime, including drug trafficking, trafficking in persons and money -
           laundering, which threaten security and stability in Guinea-Bissau and in the
           sub-region, and in this context, to ensure support to the Transnational Crime Unit
           (TCU) established under the West Africa Coast Initiative (WACI) and the
           Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering i n West Africa (GIABA)
           and national counternarcotics enforcement units; encourages international bilateral
           and multilateral partners to increase their support to these institutions and further
           encourages these partners to contribute to support the presence of UNODC in Guinea-Bissau and to the UNIOGBIS Trust Fund for immediate, medium and longer-term
           priorities; calls upon the international community to continue cooperation with
           Guinea-Bissau to enable it to ensure control of air traffic and surveillance of maritime
           security within its jurisdiction, in particular to fight drug trafficking and transnational
           organized crime, as well as illegal fishing in Guinea -Bissau’s territorial waters and
           exclusive economic zone and other cases of illegal exploitation of natural resources;
           and calls on the authorities of Guinea-Bissau to demonstrate full commitment to
           combating drug trafficking through provision of adequate resource s and political
           support to counternarcotic units, their investigations and pursuit of accountability for
           perpetrators;
                 21. Stresses the importance of combating drug trafficking to achieve political
           and economic stability in Guinea-Bissau, requests the Secretary-General to ensure the
           relevant capacity within the existing UNIOGBIS structure, and requests that the
           Secretary-General collaborate with UNODC and international partners to guarantee
           sufficient staffing for the UNODC office in Bissau, to contribute to the anti-drug
           efforts, including appropriate expertise and further requests the Special
           Representative of the Secretary-General to increase efforts to achieve greater
           coherence, coordination and efficiency among relevant United Nations agencies,

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               funds and programmes in the country to maximize their collective effectiveness, in
               particular through provision by these agencies, funds and programmes of relevant
               information to the Special Representative on individuals, groups, undertakings and
               entities associated with drug trafficking and transnational organized crime that
               contribute to creating a threat to the peace, stability and security of Guinea -Bissau
               and the sub-region;
                    22. Commends the good offices role of the Special Representative of the
               Secretary-General to support the Government of Guinea -Bissau;
                     23. Commends the important efforts of ECOWAS, encourages ECOWAS to
               continue extending its political support to the authorities and political leaders of
               Guinea-Bissau through the use of good offices and mediation, further encourages the
               African Union, the CPLP, the European Union and the United Nations to provide
               support to ECOWAS, and acknowledges, in this regard its 04 February 2018 adoption
               of targeted sanctions against those impeding the process to end the crisis in Guinea
               Bissau as well as the request by ECOWAS and African Union to support their
               implementation of these sanctions;
                     24. Stresses the need for all national stakeholders and Guinea-Bissau’s
               international bilateral and multilateral partners to remain committed to enforce the
               Conakry Agreement and, in this context, encourage ECOWAS to continue close
               coordination with the United Nations, African Union, CPLP and European Union
               aimed at the implementation of the Conakry Agreement;
                    25. Welcomes continued engagement of the African Union in promoting a
               peaceful solution to the current political impasse in Guinea Bissau and the
               Communique of the 752nd meeting of the Peace and Security Council of the African
               Union number PCS/Pr/COMM. (DCCLII) issued on 13 February 2018 in this regard;
                    26. Express the Security Council’s readiness to take additional measures to
               respond to further worsening of the situation in Guinea Bissau;
                     27. Decides to review the sanctions measures established pursuant to
               resolution 2048 (2012) seven months from the adoption of this resolution;

               Reporting
                     28. Requests the Secretary-General to provide an oral update within 3 months
               on the political and security situation in Guinea Bissau and its preparation for
               elections, and submit to the Security Council regular reports every six months on the
               implementation of this resolution, and within 9 months submit the Sec retary-General’s assessment of the Mission including options for a possible reconfiguration
               of the United Nations presence in the country and re -prioritization of tasks, and to
               submit a report within six months, with a briefing to the Committee established
               pursuant to its resolution 2048 (2012), on the progress made with regards to the
               stabilization of the country and restoration of constitutional order and
               recommendations on the continuation of the sanctions regime in the post-election
               environment, in line with paragraph 12 of resolution 2048 (2012);
                    29.    Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.




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