Security Council resolution 2343 (2017) [on extension of the mandate of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) until 28 Feb. 2018]
Symbol: S/RES/2343 (2017)
Date: 2017-02-23
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/72 [186] GUINEA-BISSAU SITUATION
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|ORGANIZED CRIME|DRUG TRAFFIC|CRIME PREVENTION|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: EGYPT
vote: yes
country: ETHIOPIA
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: ITALY
vote: yes
country: JAPAN
vote: yes
country: KAZAKHSTAN
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: SENEGAL
vote: yes
country: SWEDEN
vote: yes
country: UKRAINE
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes
country: URUGUAY
vote: yes

               United Nations                                                                 S/RES/2343 (2017)
               Security Council                                               Distr.: General
                                                                              23 February 2017




               Resolution 2343 (2017)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 7890th meeting, on
               23 February 2017

                    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) and 2267 (2016),
                    Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on Guinea-Bissau, dated
               7 February 2017 (S/2017/111) 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,
                     Stressing the need for the Government of Guinea-Bissau to continue to take
               concrete steps towards peace, security and stability in the country, by 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, and commending its
               commitment to the implementation of its national priorities,
                     Expressing concerns over the ongoing protracted political and institutional
               crisis among the President, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of Parliament and heads
               of political parties which has prevented the country from moving forward with its
               national reform agenda and threatens to undermine the progress made in Guinea -
               Bissau since the restoration of constitutional order following t he elections held in
               2014,
                     Welcoming the continued engagement of the Special Representative of the
               Secretary-General, Modibo Ibrahim Touré, the President of the Republic of Liberia,
               Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, in her 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 dual capacity of
               Chairperson of the African Union and 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



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               need for concerted action among the United Nations, ECOWAS, the African Union, the
               Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), and the European Union (EU),
                    Further welcoming the adoption, on 10 September 2016, by ECOWAS, of the
               six-point road map entitled “Agreement on the Resolution of the Political Crisis in
               Guinea-Bissau” brokered by ECOWAS and the Conakry Agreement on the
               implementation of the road map,
                    Commending the commitment demonstrated by the ECOWAS Authority of
               Heads of States and Government at their Summit on 17 December 2016 to
               supporting the implementation of the ECOWAS brokered road map and the Conakry
               Agreement,
                     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 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,
                     Stressing that the consolidation of peace and stability in Guinea -Bissau can
               only result from a consensual, inclusive and nationally owned 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 drug 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 developing national
               security and rule of law institutions that are 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,
                     Noting efforts of the Government to gain effective civilian control and
               oversight over the defence and security forces, as failure to do so could adversely
               affect the effective functioning of State institutions, 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),




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                 Welcoming the continued contribution of ECOMIB in ensuring an environment
           that enables the implementation of critical reforms in the defence and security
           sector and encouraging the international community to support the continuation of
           such efforts,
                Taking note with concern of the financial difficulties faced by ECOMIB in
           continuing to implement its mandate,
                 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, welcoming the 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-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, subregional 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 subregion, and encouraging enhanced cooperation between UNODC and
           UNIOGBIS,
                 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 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 security sector reform,




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               national reconciliation processes, institution building and to addr ess 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,
               welcoming the coordinated 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 International Donor Conference
               for Guinea-Bissau held on 25 March 2015 in Brussels,
                    Welcoming the final Communiqué of the Fiftieth Ordinary Session of the
               ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, held in Abuja, Nigeria, on 17 December
               2016 and the African Union Peace and Security Council Communique of its 658th
               meeting, held on 13 February 2017, supporting the implementation of the ECOWAS
               road map and the Conakry Agreement,
                    Welcoming the continued engagement of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC)
               with Guinea-Bissau, and noting the statement issued by the Commission on
               16 February 2017 expressing its deep commitment to supporting the successful
               implementation of the ECOWAS road map and the national development plan
               “Terra Ranka”,
                    Reaffirming its full commitment to the consolidation of peace and stability in
               Guinea-Bissau,
                    1.   Decides to extend the mandate of UNIOGBIS for a period of 12 months
               beginning on 1 March 2017 until 28 February 2018;
                     2.    Expresses its strong support for the key role of the Special
               Representative of the Secretary-General for Guinea-Bissau, fully endorses the
               recommendations of the strategic review mission as outlined in the Secretary -
               General’s report regarding the need for UNIOGBIS to refocus its existing efforts
               towards political capacities in support of the SRSG’s good offices and political
               facilitation role, and to streamline its management structure, and further requests
               UNIOGBIS, including through the use of the good offices and political supports of
               the Special Representative, to focus, in particular, on the following priorities:
                     (a) Support an inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation
               process to strengthen democratic governance and work towards consensus on key
               political issues particularly with regards to the implementation of necessary urgent
               reforms;
                    (b) Supports, including by technical assistance, the national authorities in
               expediting and completing the review of Guinea -Bissau’s Constitution;
                     (c) Provide strategic and technical advice and support to national authorities
               and relevant stakeholders, including in coordination with ECOWAS/ECOMIB and
               other international partners, in implementing the national security sector reform and
               rule of law strategies, as well as developing civilian and military justice systems
               that are compliant with international standards;




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                 (d) Support the Government of Guinea-Bissau, in cooperation with the
           Peacebuilding Commission towards the mobilization, harmonization and
           coordination of international assistance, including for the implementation of the
           national security sector reform and rule of law strategies, and enhancing cooperation
           with the AU, ECOWAS, CPLP, EU and other partners in support of the maintenance
           of constitutional order and the stabilization of Guinea-Bissau;
                 3.   Affirms that UNIOGBIS and the Special Representative will continue to
           lead international efforts in the following priority areas:
                 (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) Providing strategic and technical advice and support for the
           establishment of effective and efficient law enforcement and criminal justice and
           penitentiary systems, capable of maintaining public security and combating
           impunity, while respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms;
                 (c) Assisting national authorities in the promotion and protection of human
           rights as well as undertake human rights monitoring and reporting activities;
                 (d) 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;
                (e) Providing support to the Government of Guinea-Bissau to incorporate a
           gender perspective into peacebuilding, in line with Security 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;
                 4.     Endorses the Conakry Agreement of 14 October 2016, based on the road
           map, as primary framework for a peaceful resolution of the political crisis, as it
           offers a historic opportunity for national authorities and political leaders, a s well as
           civil society, to jointly ensure political stability and build sustainable peace,
           welcomes and supports the intention of ECOWAS to urgently dispatch a high -level
           mission to Guinea-Bissau, as part of the follow-up steps for the implementation of
           the Conakry Agreement, in order to identify and address the obstacles impeding the
           implementation of the Agreement, with the view to promoting a durable solution to
           the crisis in that country;
                 5.    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, including the President, the Speaker of Parliament and heads of political
           parties to abide by their commitment to bring political stability to Guinea -Bissau in
           engaging in genuine dialogue and finding common ground for a swift resolution of
           the political crisis;
                 6.    Calls upon the Bissau-Guinean 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




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               Bissau-Guinean stakeholders to refrain from actions and statements that could
               escalate tensions and incite violence;
                     7.    Emphasizes the importance of passing key reforms, as outlined in the
               Conakry Agreement aimed at creating 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;
                     8.    Calls upon the authorities of Guinea-Bissau and all stakeholders,
               including the military, political parties, and civil society to work together to
               consolidate progress made so far, and to address the root causes of instability with
               particular attention to political-military dynamics, ineffective state institutions and
               rule of law, impunity and human rights violations and abuses, poverty and lack of
               access to basic services;
                     9.    Underscores the need for inclusive dialogue to consolidate peace and
               stability in Guinea-Bissau and calls upon the national authorities to expedite the
               review of Guinea-Bissau’s Constitution;
                    10. Call on the security and defence services to continue to submit
               themselves fully to civilian control;
                    11. 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;
                    12. 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;
                     13. Takes note of the evolving human rights situation in the country and
               urges the authorities of Guinea-Bissau to take all necessary measures to 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 witne sses in order
               to ensure due process;
                     14. Welcomes the joint efforts by international partners, in particular the
               United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, EU and CPLP, to enhance cooperation in
               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 this 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;
                     15. Recognizes the ongoing implementation of some defence and security
               sector reforms and encourages the continuation of further efforts as a crucial
               element for long-term stability in Guinea-Bissau and further encourages
               coordinated action by all relevant subregional, regional and international partners of
               Guinea-Bissau in this field in order to obtain expeditious and positive results;




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                 16. 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 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;
                17. 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;
                 18. 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
           subregion, and in this context, to provide additional support to the Transnational
           Crime Unit (TCU) established under the West Africa Coast Initiative (WACI) and
           the Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa
           (GIABA); 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 enhance 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 organize d 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 urges the authorities
           of Guinea-Bissau to demonstrate full commitment to combating drug trafficking;
                 19. 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, continuing 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, 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 subregion;
                 20. Commends the good offices role of the Special Representative of the
           Secretary-General to support the Government of Guinea-Bissau, and invites the
           Secretary-General to reinforce UNIOGBIS’ capacities in this regard and to continue
           strengthening the coordination for international support;
                 21. Urges 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




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               Brussels round table held in March 2015, invites Guinea-Bissau’s partners to fulfil
               the pledges they made at that round table and also encourages UNIOGBIS to assist
               in the coordination of international assistance to the Government of Guinea -Bissau
               in its fight against poverty;
                     22. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the Security Council regular
               reports every six months on the implementation of this resolution 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);
                     23. Decides to review the sanctions measures established pursuant to
               resolution 2048 (2012) seven months from the adoption of this resolution;
                    24.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.




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