Chronology of Events

revised on 2 September 2020

Guinea-Bissau

August 2020

On 10 August, the Security Council held a briefing followed by closed consultations on Guinea-Bissau (S/PV.8754). Special Representative and head of the UN Integrated Peacbuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau Rosine Sori-Coulibaly presented the latest Secretary-General’s report on Guinea-Bissau (S/2020/755). Deputy Permanent Representative of Brazil João Genésio de Almeida Filho briefed on behalf of the Chair of the Guinea-Bissau configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, and Ghada Fathi Waly, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, also briefed.

March 2020

On 4 March, Council members discussed Guinea-Bissau in consultations under “any other business” with Special Representative and head of UNIOGBIS Rosine Sori-Coulibaly. Niger requested the session in light of the political deterioration that followed the 27 February swearing-in ceremony of Umaro Sissoco Embaló at a hotel in Bissau despite a legal challenge to the election results still being under consideration by the Supreme Court of Justice (STJ) (subsequently, the military occupied government institutions, including the STJ). On 5 March, Council members issued a press statement calling on the parties “to respect the legal and constitutional frameworks and the democratic process to resolve the post-electoral crisis”. They further “called on ECOWAS to urgently send a high-level political mission to Guinea-Bissau” to help resolve the crisis.

February 2020

On 11 February, in a presidential statement on West Africa and the Sahel, the Council welcomed Guinea-Bissau’s holding of the presidential election at the end of 2019, and urged all national stakeholders to ensure a peaceful implementation of the election results. On 14 February, the Council held a briefing and consultations to consider the Secretary-General’s report on developments in Guinea-Bissau. Special Representative and head of UNIOGBIS Rosine Sori-Coulibaly and the chair of the Peacebuilding Commission’s Guinea-Bissau configuration, Ambassador Ronaldo Costa Filho (Brazil), briefed. At press time, the Council was expected to adopt a resolution on 28 February that renews the mandate of UNIOGBIS until 31 December 2020.

November 2019

On 4 November, the Security Council adopted a presidential statement expressing full support for the communiqués issued by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the AU following President José Mário Vaz’s dismissal of the government of Prime Minister Aristides Gomes on 28 October, less than one month before the presidential election. The presidential statement further called on “President Vaz and the government led by Prime Minister Gomes in charge of conducting the electoral process to resolve their differences in the spirit of respect and cooperation” and affirmed the “urgent need to hold the presidential elections on 24 November 2019 as agreed”.

On 11 November, Council members were briefed in consultations on the evolving situation by Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) Rosine Sori-Coulibaly. In press elements afterwards, Council members welcomed ECOWAS’ recent decision to strengthen its mission in Guinea-Bissau (ECOMIB) and to send a mission of heads of state and government to Bissau on 16 November 2019. Members recalled that the Council would consider taking appropriate measures against those who undermine stability in Guinea-Bissau.

October 2019

On 10 October, Council members held consultations on Guinea-Bissau ahead of next month’s 24 November presidential election. Special Representative and head of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) Rosine Sori-Coulibaly briefed via video-teleconference. On 16 October, Council members issued a press statement, reiterating “the imperative need for the presidential election to be held on 24 November 2019”.  Council members met on 31 October to discuss Guinea-Bissau under “any other business” with Sori-Coulibaly following President José Mário Vaz’s dismissal of the government on 28 October. From 27 to 30 October, the Chair of the 2048 Sanctions Committee, Ambassador Anatolio Ndong Mba, (Equatorial Guinea) led a committee visiting mission to Guinea-Bissau.

September 2019

On 10 September, the Security Council held a briefing on Guinea-Bissau. Council members were considering the Secretary-General’s latest report on developments in the country and the activities of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau. Assistant Secretary-General for Africa Bintou Keita and the chair of the Peacebuilding Commission’s Guinea-Bissau configuration, Ambassador Mauro Vieira (Brazil), briefed. The following day, on 11 September, the Guinea-Bissau 2048 Sanctions Committee met to discuss the Secretary-General’s 29 August report on Progress made with regard to the stabilization and restoration of constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau.

July 2019

On 3 July, Council members issued a press statement taking note, inter alia, of the ECOWAS call for the president of Guinea-Bissau to sign a decree of nomination of the government by 3 July on the basis of the proposition made by the Prime Minister, and for the president to stay in office until the holding of the next presidential election, while leaving the full management of government affairs to the newly formed government.

March 2019

On 26 March, Council members issued a press statement congratulating Guinea-Bissau for the peaceful conduct of legislative elections held on 10 March. Members recalled the importance of organising the presidential election within the legal mandated time frame in 2019, and called upon national authorities to expedite the review of the constitution.

February 2019

The Council visited Guinea-Bissau from 15 to 16 February. On 28 February, the Council adopted a resolution renewing the mandate of UNIOGBIS for one year. The resolution sets out that the reconfiguration of UNIOGBIS, as a streamlined good offices mission (as proposed by the Secretary-General in a 5 December 2018 special report), should begin after the current electoral cycle in 2019. Earlier in February, the Secretary-General submitted his report on Guinea-Bissau and the activities of UNIOGBIS. The Guinea-Bissau 2048 Sanctions Committee met on 7 February, receiving a briefing from Pierre Lapaque, Representative of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime Regional Office for West and Central Africa, on drug trafficking and transnational organised crime in Guinea-Bissau and the region.

December 2018

On 21 December, the Council held a briefing and consultations on UNIOGBIS. Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Taye-Brooke Zerihoun and the Peacebuilding Commission’s chair of its Guinea-Bissau configuration, Ambassador Mauro Vieira (Brazil), spoke during the briefing. Discussion focused on the delayed legislative elections, which the President of Guinea-Bissau José Mário Vaz announced the day before the Council briefing, and ahead of an upcoming ECOWAS summit, would be held on 10 March. Members also considered the Secretary-General’s special report on a strategic assessment on UNIOGBIS, which proposes an exit plan for the mission over the next two years. On 27 December, Council members issued a press statement, expressing deep concern regarding the status of preparations for legislative elections, which they stressed should take place prior to the presidential elections foreseen in 2019.

October 2018

On 11 October, the 2048 Sanctions Committee issued a press release on its 31 August meeting, when Committee members had considered the Secretary-General’s annual report on progress made with regard to the stabilisation and restoration of constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau.

September 2018

Council members issued a press statement on 7 September that encouraged national stakeholders to work together for the November 2018 legislative elections, stressing that inclusive and credible elections were essential for reform efforts spelled out in the Conakry Agreement and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) six-point road map, which were brokered by ECOWAS in 2016 to resolve the continuing political crisis. The statement was issued following the Council’s 30 August briefing and consultations on Guinea-Bissau.

August 2018

On 30 August, the Council held a briefing on Guinea-Bissau. Briefers were Special Representative and head of UNIOGBIS, José Viegas Filho; Ambassador Anatolio Ndong Mba (Equatorial Guinea), chair of the 2048 Guinea-Bissau Sanctions Committee; and Ambassador Mauro Vieira (Brazil), chair of the Guinea-Bissau configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission. Civil society representative Elisa Maria Tavares Pinto, of the ECOWAS Women Peace and Security Network, briefed via video teleconference. Prime Minister Gomes also participated. Viegas Filho briefed the Council based on the Secretary-General’s 16 August report on Guinea-Bissau. The report highlighted that the political situation remains fragile despite the progress made earlier this year towards resolving the country’s political crisis, while the organisation of legislative elections scheduled for 18 November is facing serious technical and financial challenges. All Council made public statements before moving to further discussion on the matter in consultations. On 31 August, the 2048 Guinea-Bissau Sanctions Committee held informal consultations. Representatives of the Security Council Affairs Division presented the Secretary-General’s annual report on progress in Guinea-Bissau’s stabilisation and restoration of constitutional order. The Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau Aristides Gomes also addressed the Committee.

July 2018

On 16 July, the 2048 Sanctions Committee heard a briefing by the Chair of the Committee, Ambassador Anatolio Ndong Mba (Equatorial Guinea,) on his visit to Guinea‑Bissau and Guinea, from 25 to 29 June 2018. A press release on the meeting was issued by the Committee on 31 July. Earlier in the month, on 6 July, the Committee issued a press release on its 8 June meeting when the chair had briefed on his planned trip, which had noted that the purpose of the visit was to obtain first‑hand accounts concerning the effective implementation of the sanctions measures imposed by Security Council resolution 2048 and to discuss progress in the restoration of constitutional order in Guinea‑Bissau.

June 2018

On 8 June, the 2048 Guinea-Bissau Sanctions Committee held informal consultations to discuss the sanctions regime. The chair of the Committee Ambassador Anatolio Ndong Mba (Equatorial Guinea) briefed on a mission to Guinea-Bissau and Guinea he was planning to undertake from 25 to 29 June.

May 2018

On 16 May, the Council held a briefing on Guinea-Bissau. Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Tayé-Brook Zerihoun covered recent progress in resolving the political crisis, preparations for the November legislative elections, and steps taken to adjust the work of UNIOGBIS following the new priorities set by the Council to its mandate in February. Executive Director of UNODC Yury Fedotov, briefing via video teleconference from Vienna, described UNODC capacity-building activities in Guinea-Bissau to combat drug, money laundering and maritime crime. Ambassador Mauro Viera (Brazil), chair of the Peacebuilding Commission’s Guinea-Bissau configuration, briefed as well. He noted, among other points, his plans to visit the country most likely in July.

February 2018

On 14 February, Special Representative and head of UNIOGBIS Modibo Touré briefed the Council via video teleconference from Bissau. His briefing included updating Council members on the decision of ECOWAS to impose sanctions on 19 individuals for obstructing implementation of the Conakry Agreement. Ambassador Mauro Vieira (Brazil), chair of the Guinea-Bissau configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission also briefed. Consultations were canceled and all 15 members made public remarks. On 21 February, Council members issued a press statement, stating their support of ECOWAS’s efforts to resolve the ongoing political and institutional crisis in Guinea-Bissau and taking note of its 4 February 2018 decision to impose sanctions. On 28 February, the Council adopted resolution 2404, extending the mandate of UNIOGBIS for an additional year.

September 2017

On 13 September, the Security Council adopted a presidential statement that, inter alia, called on the leadership of Guinea-Bissau to implement the 14 October 2016 Conakry Agreement. One day earlier, 12 September, the 2048 Guinea-Bissau Sanctions Committee met to consider the Secretary-General’s 23 August report on progress made with regard to stabilisation and restoration in Guinea-Bissau. Committee members received briefings from Special Representative and head of UNIOGBIS Modibo Touré and Kelvin Ong from Security Council Affairs Division.

August 2017

On 24 August, the Council received a briefing on the Secretary-General’s report on Guinea-Bissau from Modibo Touré, Special Representative and head of UNIOGBIS. Ambassador Elbio Rosselli (Uruguay), chair of the 2048 Guinea-Bissau Sanctions Committee, and Ambassador Mauro Viera (Brazil), chair of the Peacebuilding Commission’s (PBC) configuration for Guinea-Bissau also briefed. Following the public session, members continued discussions in consultations.

July 2017

On 17 July, a meeting of the 2048 Guinea-Bissau Sanctions Committee was held in which the chair of the committee Ambassador Elbio Rosselli (Uruguay) briefed committee members on his visit from 13 to 15 June to Guinea-Bissau.

June 2017

On 17 July, a meeting of the 2048 Sanctions Committee was held in which the chair of the Committee Ambassador Elbio Rosselli (Uruguay) briefed committee members on his visit from 13 to 15 June to Guinea-Bissau.

May 2017

On 11 May, Council members received a briefing in consultations from Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman on Guinea-Bissau focusing on the ongoing political crisis. In a press statement following the meeting, Council members called on relevant stakeholders to strictly respect and comply with the Conakry agreement and the ECOWAS road map and expressed their readiness to take necessary measures to respond to a further worsening of the situation in Guinea-Bissau.

February 2017

On 14 February, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Guinea-Bissau, Modibo Touré, briefed the Council on the Secretary-General’s latest report  and recent developments in Guinea-Bissau. The chair of the PBC’s Guinea-Bissau configuration, Ambassador Mauro Viera (Brazil), also briefed and statements were additionally made by representatives of Guinea-Bissau and Liberia on behalf of ECOWAS. Following consultations, Council members issued press elements expressing their concern over the political impasse in Guinea-Bissau and urging national stakeholders to implement the Conakry agreement and ECOWAS roadmap. On 23 February, the Council adopted resolution 2343 renewing the mandate of UNIOGBIS until 28 February 2018. The resolution, inter alia, fully endorsed the recommendations outlined in the Secretary-General’s report regarding the need for UNIOGBIS to refocus its efforts towards political capacities in support of the Special Representative’s good offices and political facilitation role.

October 2016

On 20 October, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative to Guinea-Bissau briefed Council members in consultations on developments in the inclusive dialogue held in Guinea from 11 to 14 October to resolve the longstanding political crisis. After the briefing, Council members issued a press statement welcoming the initiative and the Conakry agreement that resulted from these talks. Among other points, members encouraged Guinea-Bissau’s president to proceed to the nomination of the consensual prime minister as soon as possible.

September 2016

Following the Council’s 30 August briefing and consultations on Guinea-Bissau, Council members issued a press statement on 4 September expressing serious concern over the political impasse, urging national actors to abide by the constitution and the rule of law and to engage in dialogue to find a solution. The statement further stressed the urgency of deploying the ECOWAS presidential mission and encouraged ECOWAS and the CPLP to take steps towards organising a meeting of the International Contact Group on Guinea-Bissau. Issuing the statement was delayed due to Council members’ negotiations on language related to donor funding, in particular whether the release of pledges should be dependent on finding a solution to the political impasse.

August 2016

On 19 August, the 2048 Guinea-Bissau Sanctions Committee met to discuss the Secretary-General’s 16 August report on the Guinea-Bissau sanctions regime. The report recommended maintaining the sanctions regime as a signal to spoilers regardless of political or institutional affiliation and adjusting the measures and designations as necessary; establishing a panel of experts; establishing benchmarks to lift sanctions; and reviewing current individuals subject to travel ban sanctions for their role in the 2012 coup to determine whether they still meet the designation criteria. On 30 August, the Council held a briefing followed by consultations on Guinea-Bissau. Modibo Touré, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau, briefed on the Secretary-General’s 2 August report on the situation in Guinea-Bissau. Also briefing were Deputy Permanent Representative Luis Bermúdez of Uruguay, which chairs the Committee and Ambassador Antonio de Aguiar Patriota (Brazil) as chair of the PBC Guinea-Bissau country-configuration.

June 2016

On 14 June, Special Representative and head of UNIOGBIS, Modibo Touré, briefed the Council along with AU Special Representative Ovidio Pequeno on Guinea-Bissau’s ongoing political crisis (S/PV.7714). Also addressing the Council were Ambassador Fode Seck (Senegal) on behalf of ECOWAS, Ambassador João Soares Da Gama (Guinea-Bissau), and Ambassador Maria Helena Pires (Timor-Leste) on behalf of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries. The next day, Council members issued a press statement encouraging national actors to abide by the constitution and the rule of law, and commended security forces for their non-interference in the political crisis. The statement expressed support of the decisions taken at the 4 June ECOWAS summit and expressed members’ readiness to take necessary measures to respond if the situation worsened (SC/12405).

May 2016

On 13 May, Council members issued “elements to the press” following President Jose Mario Vaz’s decision to dismiss the government of Carlos Correia. Council members called for leaders to resume dialogue to bring political stability; urged international interlocutors to continue their efforts to resolve the ongoing political impasse; and reaffirmed the importance of the continued non-interference of the defence and security forces in the political situation. There was a further expression of their commitment to monitor the ongoing situation and readiness to take all necessary measures to overcome the current situation.

September 2015

On 21 September, Council members issued a press statement, taking note of the appointment of Carlos Correia as Prime Minister as an important step for ending Guinea-Bissau’s political crisis.

August 2015

In response to the political crisis in Guinea-Bissau, the Council received a briefing under “any other business” during consultations from Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Tayé-Brook Zerihoun on 10 August, and a second briefing in consultations on the situation from Zerihoun on 14 August. In press statements on 12 and 14 August (SC/12005 and SC/12007), Council members encouraged Guinea-Bissau leaders to engage in dialogue and welcomed the regional efforts of ECOWAS and other interlocutors. The Council also had its bi-annual briefing on 28 August from the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Guinea-Bissau, Miguel Trovoada, on the Secretary-General’s latest report on the activities of the UN Integrated Peace-building Support Office in Guinea-Bissau and developments in the country. The briefing was followed by consultations. On 11 August, the 2048 Guinea-Bissau sanctions committee was briefed by the Secretariat on its assessment of the Guinea-Bissau sanctions regime, which it recommended the Council maintain, along with the establishment of a two-person panel of experts, the creation of benchmarks for ending the sanctions, and reviewing the current individuals designated to ensure they meet the designation criteria. The next day, the Council received the Secretary-General’s report of this assessment.

February 2015

On 5 February, the Council was briefed by Special Representative Miguel Trovoada on the Secretary-General’s latest Guinea-Bissau report and strategic assessment of UNIOGBIS. Statements were also made by Ambassador Antonio de Aguiar Patriota (Brazil) as chair of the Peacebuilding Commission’s country configuration for Guinea-Bissau, and representatives of Guinea-Bissau, ECOWAS and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries. The briefing was followed by consultations with Trovoada. The Council adopted resolution 2203 on 18 February, renewing UNIOGBIS until 29 February 2016.

November 2014

Miguel Trovoada, the Special Representative and head of UNIOGBIS, briefed the Council on 18 November and presented the most Secretary-General’s assessment of the mission (S/2014/805). Statements were also made by the chair of the PBC, the chair of the PBC Guinea-Bissau configuration, Ambassador Antonio de Aguiar Patriota (Brazil) and Prime Minister Domingos Simões Pereira of Guinea-Bissau (S/PV.7315). On 25 November, the Council adopted resolution 2186 renewing the mandate of UNIOGBIS for three months.

August 2014

Council members were briefed in consultations on 26 August by Under-Secretary-General of Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman on the restoration of constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau (S/2014/603). In light of the successful electoral process and installation of the new government this was the final Secretary-General’s report pursuant to resolution 2048 (S/2014/600 and S/2014/601). The Council agreed that further relevant updates would be included in the semi-annual UNIOGBIS report.

July 2014

On 21 July, the Secretary-General wrote the Council (S/2014/528) that it would be premature to complete and report on the review of UNIOGBIS’s mandate by 30 October since Guinea-Bissau’s new government required more time to identify its priorities for UN support. He asked that the Council grant a three month extension. In a 23 July letter in response (S/2014/529), the Council took note of the request, and called for a written update by 12 November 2014, in order to be able to consider it prior to the expiration of the mandate of UNIOGBIS.

May 2014

On 19 May the Council had a briefing and consultations by video-teleconference from Special Representative José Ramos-Horta on the Secretary-General’s quarterly report on the restoration of constitutional order, as well as his semi-annual report on UNIOGBIS. That same day, Council members issued a press statement welcoming the successful completion of the second round presidential election held on 18 May. On 29 May, the Council adopted resolution 2157 that renewed UNIOGBIS for a further three months. 

April 2014

On 3 April, the Council was briefed on election preparations during consultations under “Any Other Business” by UN political affairs head Jeffrey Feltman. Later that day, the Council issued a press statement condemning intimidation and violence and calling for free and fair elections (SC/11345). It also recalled its willingness to consider sanctions against spoilers.

February 2014

José Ramos-Horta, the Special Representative for Guinea-Bissau briefed the Council on 26 February on the Secretary-General’s report on the restoration of constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau. Ramos-Horta reported that voter registration had been successfully completed and the electoral date had been postponed from 16 March to 13 April for technical reasons. The Council also heard from Ambassador Antonio de Aguiar Patriota (Brazil) on his recent visit to Guinea-Bissau as chair of the PBC country configuration. The Council issued a press statement urging Guinea-Bissau to hold elections without further delays.

December 2013

On 9 December, the Council adopted a presidential statement calling for timely and credible national elections, rescheduled for 16 March 2014, and warned potential spoilers with the possibility of sanctions. It also welcomed an ECOWAS plan to reinforce the ECOWAS mission in Guinea-Bissau. Togo proposed the presidential statement following the Council’s 26 November briefing and consultations with the UN’s Special Representative to Guinea-Bissau Jose Ramos-Horta. 

November 2013

Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Jose Ramos-Horta briefed the Council on 26 November about the Secretary-General’s latest reports on the restoration of constitutional order (S/2013/680) and the activities of the UNIOGBIS (S/2013/681). Ramos-Horta told the Council that Guinea-Bissau rescheduled its national elections for 16 March 2014, and the long delayed voter-registration process would take place 1-31 December. He said the increasingly volatile security situation and a deteriorating human rights situation threatened the country’s ability to hold credible elections.

September 2013

On 5 September, Council members were briefed in consultations by Special Representative Jose Ramos-Horta on the latest report of the Secretary-General on the restoration of constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau. On 11 September, the Security Council issued a press statement urging credible and transparent presidential and legislative elections to be held within the established transitional period by the end of 2013.

May 2013

On 9 May, the Council was briefed by the Special Representative and head of UNIOGBIS, José Ramos-Horta, regarding the 6 May report of the Secretary-General. Representatives of Guinea-Bissau, the Peacebuilding Commission, the Economic Community of West African States and the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries also addressed the Council. On 22 May, the Council adopted resolution 2103, which extended the mandate of UNIOGBIS for a year. In revising the mandate and structure of UNIOGBIS, resolution 2103 closely follows the recommendations of the Secretary-General in his report of 6 May. Among other areas, UNIOGBIS has been tasked with assisting with the holding of free, fair and transparent elections by the end of 2013. Resolution 2103 also includes substantial content on measures to combat drug trafficking, such as requesting the Secretary-General to ensure a sufficient anti-drug component within UNIOGBIS and encouraging international actors to support the future operation of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime in Guinea-Bissau.

March 2013

On 6 March, the Council was briefed in consultations by Tayé-Brook Zerihoun, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, on the quarterly report on efforts to restore constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau following the 12 April 2012 coup, following which there was no outcome. Council members agreed on the consolidation of reporting cycles for resolutions 2048 (on the restoration of constitutional order) and 2092 (on the mandate of UNIOGBIS), with the next report due by the end of April. This report will include an assessment of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation on the ground, guide the discussions, and will be taken up by the Council in May when it will feed into the negotiations on a new resolution for the renewal of UNIOGBIS’s mandate. On 23 March, the AU released the report of the Joint ECOWAS/AU/CPLP/EU/UN Assessment Mission to Guinea-Bissau, which was based on a trip to Guinea-Bissau from 16-21 December 2012 by representatives of the five organisations. The UN also conducted a separate technical assessment mission (TAM) in Guinea-Bissau from 16-27 March. The TAM—composed of officials from UN offices in Brindisi, Dakar, Geneva and New York—held meetings with various national stakeholders and international partners. The principal objective of the TAM was to make recommendations regarding potential changes to the mandate, structure and strength of UNIOGBIS. Based on the preliminary findings of the TAM, UNIOGBIS may be restructured, but the mandate and resources of the mission are less likely to be considerably altered.

February 2013

On 5 February, the Council received a briefing by Tayé-Brook Zerihoun, the Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, on the UNIOGBIS report. Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti (Brazil), chair of the Guinea-Bissau PBC configuration, also briefed, noting the continued suspension of projects under the Peacebuilding Fund since the coup. On 22 February, the Council adopted resolution 2092  renewing UNIOGBIS’s mandate for an additional three months and raised the issue of drug trafficking. The mandate itself remains largely unchanged to allow the incoming Special Representative, José Ramos-Horta, time to conduct an assessment of the situation on the ground.

January 2013

On 2 January, José Ramos-Horta, former President of Timor-Leste, was appointed as the new Special Representative and head of UNIOGBIS.

December 2012

On 11 December, Council members received a briefing in consultations from Special Representative and head of UNIOGBIS, Joseph Mutaboba, on the most recent report on the restoration of constitutional order in the country.  Morocco, chair of the 2048 Guinea-Bissau Sanctions Committee, also briefed. On 13 December, Council members issued a press statement expressing “serious concern” over the lack of progress in the restoration of constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau.

November 2012

On 9 November, Guinea-Bissau sent a letter to the Secretary-General requesting the replacement of Special Representative and head of UNIOGBIS, Joseph Mutaboba, stating that he did not serve the interest of the transition programme currently underway. (Guinea-Bissau’s transitional government was brokered by ECOWAS but is not recognised by all Security Council members.)

October 2012

On 21 October, there was an attack on a military base near the Bissau airport. The transitional government accused former Army Chief of Staff Jose Zamora Induta, former Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Júnior, Portugal and members of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries of a counter-coup to the 21 April coup.

September 2012

On 18 September, the Council held closed consultations on the latest Secretary-General’s UNIOGBIS report. There was no Council action after the consultations.

July 2012

On 18 July, the Guinea-Bissau Sanctions Committee added six individuals—all of them Guinea-Bissau army officers—to be subjected to a travel ban.

On 26 July, the Special Representative and head of UNIOGBIS introduced the Secretary-General’s latest report on Guinea-Bissau to Council members reporting on the deteriorating humanitarian and economic situation in the country. The chair of the Guinea-Bissau PBC configuration, also briefed. Representatives of the ECOWAS and the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries made statements.

On 30 July, the Council issued a press statement that condemned the continuing interference of the military in politics and expressed concern about reports of an increase in drug trafficking since the 12 April coup d’état. The statement also called on the Secretary-General to consider convening a high-level meeting to produce a comprehensive and integrated strategy for the full restoration of constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau and the promotion of democracy and rule of law.

June 2012

On 13 June, Ambassador Mohammed Loulichki (Morocco) was appointed chair of the new sanctions committee on Guinea-Bissau.

May 2012

On 8 May the Council issued a press statement expressing its readiness to consider targeted sanctions against the perpetrators and supporters of the military coupOn 18 May, the Security Council established a sanctions committee on Guinea-Bissau in resolution 2048 that imposed a travel ban on five senior officers who led the 12 April coup d’état.

April 2012

The Council issued a presidential statement on 21 April strongly condemning the coup and calling for the “immediate restoration of the constitutional order as well as the reinstatement of the legitimate government”. On 19 April, the Council discussed Guinea-Bissau with three Foreign Ministers briefing: Mamadú Saliu Djalo Pires of Guinea-Bissau; Georges Chikoti of Angola; and Paulo Portas of Portugal. On 13 April, Council members were briefed in consultations on the situation in the country by the Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs. The Council later that day issued a press statement.

March 2012

On 28 March, the Council was briefed by the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Guinea-Bissau and the Chair of the Guinea-Bissau country-specific configuration of the PBC.

February 2012

As part of his monthly briefing on emerging issues on 10 February, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs briefed the Council on Guinea-Bissau, noting the forthcoming presidential elections.

January 2012

The Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs  briefed the Council on the situation in Guinea-Bissau on 10 January. The Council issued a press statementafter the briefing expressing condolences (President  Malam Bacai Sanhá died in Paris on 9 January) and welcoming Guinea-Bissau’s decision to investigate the coup attempt and to hold accountable those responsible.

December 2011

On 26 December, the government announced that a “small group of soldiers” tried to “topple the top brass of the army and the government” but failed. On 21 December, the Council unanimously passed resolution 2030 extending the mandate of the UN Integrated Peace-Building Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) until 28 February 2013.

November 2011

The Council discussed the Secretary-General’s report on UNIOGBIS on 3 November. The Council was briefed by the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Guinea-Bissau and others.

June 2011

On 28 June, the Council was briefed by the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Guinea-Bissau and by the chair of the country’s PBC configuration. Consultations were held following the briefing.

February 2011

The Council was briefed on the developments in Guinea-Buissau on 25 February by the head of the UN office who noted that the situation in the country remained tenuous. Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior of Guinea-Bissau also briefed the Council on the evaluation of the situation in his country.

November 2010

On 23 November, the Council extended  the mandate of UNIOGBIS until 31 December 2011. The head of UNIOGBIS briefed  the Council on developments in the country and of the work of the UN Office on 5 November.

July 2010

The Council adopted a presidential statement expressing concern at the prevailing security situation and threats to constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau on 22 July. On 15 July, the head of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) briefed the Council on the Secretary-General’s UNIOGBIS report and developments in the country.

June 2009

The Council adopted resolution 1876 on 26 June, extending the mandate of UN Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNOGBIS) until 31 December, and requested the Secretary-General to establish the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) to succeed UNOGBIS for an initial period of 12 months after that.

23 June 2009

The Council was briefed  by the head of the UN Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNOGBIS), Joseph Mutaboba, on the UN Secretary-General’s report on the mission and the political and military tensions in the wake of the March and June assassinations.

16 June 2009

The Peacebuilding Commission’s Guinea-Bissau configuration issued a statement condemning the assassinations of Dabό and Proença.

9 June 2009

The Council issued a  press statement expressing concern over the resurgence of political violence and condemning the killings.

5 June 2009

Political violence against high-profile personalities in Guinea-Bissau resurged when armed men killed presidential candidate Baciro Dabό and Helder , a former government minister and member of parliament.

20 April 2009

A roundtable was convened by the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council on the Restructuring and Modernisation of the Defence and Security Sector in Guinea-Bissau in Praia, Cape Verde.

April 2009

A broad consensus emerged in the government of Guinea-Bissau to hold elections on 28 June 2009.

19 March 2009

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Mediation and Security Council met in Guinea-Bissau and recommended that ECOWAS collaborate with the international community, including the UN, to deploy military and police contingents to protect state institutions, the authorities and the electoral process in Guinea-Bissau.

12 March 2009

The government’s commission of inquiry into the double assassination of President João Bernardo Vieira and Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Tagme Na Waie began work.

1 and 2 March 2009

The chief of staff of the armed forces, General Tagme Na Waie, and President João Bernardo Vieira were assassinated on consecutive days.

February 2009

Joseph Mutaboba was appointed as the new Secretary-General’s Representative in Guinea-Bissau and head of UNOGBIS, replacing Shola Omoregie who retired on 31 December.

22 November 2008

President Vieira escaped unharmed in an overnight attack on his home by mutinous soldiers.  One soldier was killed with several others injured.  The Secretary-General called upon the Guinea-Bissau armed forces to refrain from actions that could further destabilise the country.

16 November 2008

Legislative elections were held in Guinea-Bissau. International electoral monitors indicated a high voter turnout of 70 to 80 percent and a calm and orderly voting process.

28 April 2008

The UN Peacebuilding Fund agreed to provide Guinea-Bissau with $6 million to assist national peacebuilding efforts.

6 to 11 April 2008

The PBC’s country-specific configuration on Guinea-Bissau visited the country.

25 March 2008

President of Guinea-Bissau, Joao Bernardo Vieira, announced legislative elections would take place on 16 November.

25 March 2008

Guinea-Bissau enacted an amnesty for political-military violations against state security extending back to 6 October 2004.  It did not rule out future lawsuits and allowed for compensating victims.

20 February 2008

The country-specific configuration for Guinea-Bissau held a meeting during which Prime Minister N’Dafa Cabi of Guinea-Bissau presented on his country’s identified priority areas for assistance from the Peacebuilding Commission and the peacebuilding challenges.

13 February 2008

The country-specific configuration for Guinea-Bissau was briefed by the Peacebuilding Support Office and the World Bank on mapping of resources and shortfalls in funding for peacebuilding in Guinea-Bissau.

19 December 2007

Guinea-Bissau became the third country to be placed on the agenda of the Peacebuilding Commission.

11 December 2007

The Council wrote to the Peacebuilding Commission indicating its support for a request made by Prime Minister Martinho N’Dafa Cabi of Guinea-Bissau for the country to placed on the Commission’s agenda.

17 November 2007

The International Monetary Fund announced that Guinea-Bissau would receive $5.6 million in Emergency Post-Conflict Assistance in 2008.

15 November 2007

At a conference in Madrid, the head of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Antonio Maria Costo, said that the value of the drug trade in Guinea-Bissau may be as high as national income.

19 October 2007

The Council stated it would consider Guinea-Bissau’s request for inclusion on the Peacebuilding Commission’s agenda.

October 2007

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) released a situation report, Cocaine Trafficking in Western Africa.  The report underlined the problems arising from inadequate law enforcement in weak states, including Guinea-Bissau.

September 2007

The Secretary-General brought Guinea-Bissau’s request to be included on the Peace-Building Commission’s agenda to the attention of the Security Council.

31 August 2007

After the confiscation of a truckload of aviation fuel in a forest on the outskirts of the city of Buba and in an attempt to stem the drug trade, the government announced that aircraft suspected of carrying drugs would be shot down.

mid-August 2007

Amnesty International expressed concern about harrassment of human rights activists and journalists focusing on drug trafficking in the country.

18 July 2007

President João Bernardo Vieira announced that parliamentary elections would be postponed from March 2008 to March 2009, when they will be held alongside presidential elections.

23 May-6 June 2007

The International Monetary Fund visited Guinea-Bissau to conduct annual consultations with the government and discuss post-conflict assistance.

17 April 2007

A new cabinet was named made up of an alliance of political parties.

9 April 2007

Further demonstrations were averted when Vieira appointed Martinho N’Dafa Cabi as prime minister.

30 March 2007

Demonstrators from the three leading political parties took to the streets demanding that Vieira accept the resignation.

29 March 2007

Gomes announced his resignation.

20 March 2007

Vieira was given 72 hours to agree to demands to appoint a new prime minister or dissolve parliament.

March 2007

Many of President João Bernardo Vieira’s supporters defected to a new coalition which then passed a no-confidence motion in parliament against Prime Minister Aristides Gomes.

23 January 2007

Some members of the International Contact Group on Guinea-Bissau met in Guinea-Bissau.

10 January 2007

Former Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Júnior sought refuge in the UNOGBIS compound, claiming that his life was in danger.  The government had issued a warrant for his arrest after he accused President João Bernardo Vieira of being involved in Sanhá’s assassination. Gomes also claimed that Vieira was systematically killing those who overthrew him in 1999. Gomes remained under UN protection for 17 days and left only after the Secretary-General’s representative in Guinea-Bissau, Shola Omoregie, persuaded the government to drop the arrest warrant against him.

6 January 2007

The assassination of the former head of the navy, Mohamed Lamine Sanhá, led to fighting between protestors and security forces leaving one dead and several injured.

November 2006

A donors’ roundtable pledged US$262.5 million for development projects. Another $178.5 million for reform of the security sector will be unlocked once the government presents its good governance programme.

October 2006

Shola Omoregie of Nigeria replaced João Bernardo Honwana of Mozambique as the Secretary-General’s Representative in Guinea-Bissau.

21 September 2006

The International Contact Group on Guinea-Bissau (France, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea and the Executive Secretariat of the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, and the Executive Secretariat of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries) held its first meeting in New York

March-April 2006

The Guinea-Bissau army engaged separatist rebels from the Movement of the Democratic Forces of Casamance in a six-week campaign along the north-western border.

26 January 2006

The Supreme Court of Justice ruled in favour of President João Bernardo Vieira’s dismissal of the government of Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Júnior.

21 Nov 2005

In a letter to the Secretary-General, President Vieira requested the extension of the mandate of UNOGBIS.

28 Oct 2005

Vieira dismissed the prime minister and the cabinet.

1 Oct 2005

Vieira was sworn in as president for a second time.

24 Jul 2005

Vieira won the presidential election runoff.

6 Oct 2004

A military mutiny resulted in the assassinations of Guinea-Bissau’s Armed Forces Chief of the General Staff and the armed forces spokesman.

15 Sep 2004

João Bernardo Honwana of Mozambique replaced David Stephen as the Secretary-General’s Representative for the situation in Guinea-Bissau and the head of UNOGBIS

March 2004

Legislative elections were held, won by the ruling party, Partido Africano da Independência da Guiné e Cabo Verde.

28 Sep 2003

The military and political parties signed the Transitional Charter, creating a transitional prime minister, president and council. Interim President Henrique Rosa and Interim Prime Minister António Artur Rosa were sworn in.

14 Sep 2003

The military ousted President Koumba Yala in a coup.

November 2002

Yala dissolved the National Assembly.

1 Feb 2002

David Stephen of Great Britain replaced Samuel C. Nana-Sinkam of Cameroon as the Secretary-General’s Representative in Guinea-Bissau and the Head of UNOGBIS.

November 2000

General Ansumane Mane was killed during a shootout with government forces, who claimed that he was attempting a coup.

17 Feb 2000

Yala was sworn in as president.

January 2000

Yala won the presidential election.

14 May 1999

Malam Bacai Sanha became interim president.

6-7 May 1999

General Mane led a coup that ousted President Vieira.

6 Apr 1999

The Council passed resolution 1233, supporting the Secretary-General’s proposal to establish UNOGBIS. Samuel C. Nana-Sinkam of Cameroon was appointed to be the Secretary-General’s Representative in Guinea-Bissau and the head of UNOGBIS.

3 Apr 1999

The Secretary-General proposed the establishment of the UN Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNOGBIS).

24 Feb 1999

The Government of National Unity, which included both government officials and military leaders, assumed power.

21 Dec 1998

The Council passed resolution 1216, requesting that the Secretary-General make recommendations on a possible role of the United Nations in the Guinea-Bissau peace process.

1 Nov 1998

Government officials and the military junta signed a peace agreement in Abuja.

7 Jun 1998

Violence broke out after Vieira dismissed General Mane.

1994

Vieira won the first free presidential election in the country’s history.

1980

Vieira led a military coup that ousted Luis Cabral, the country’s first president.

10 Sep 1974

Guinea-Bissau won independence from Portugal. Cabral assumed the presidency as the leader of the Partido Africano da Independência da Guiné e Cabo Verde.

1973

The Partido Africano da Independência da Guiné e Cabo Verde declared independence.

1963

The Partido Africano da Independência da Guiné e Cabo Verde launched a war to gain independence from Portugal.

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