United Nations Security Council Resolution 1949
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
1949, adopted unanimously on November 23, 2010, after recalling previous resolutions on the situation in Guinea-Bissau
, particularly Resolution 1876
(2009), the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau
(UNIOGBIS) for a further period of one year until December 31, 2011.
and unlawful detentions since the unrest in April 2010
. It stated that the situation in the country posed threats to security and stability in the region, particularly the issue of drug trafficking. All parties in Guinea-Bissau had to continue dialogue, promote human rights
and the rule of law
and fight against impunity
.
Meanwhile, the resolution also praised the work of the Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS) and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) and affirmed that the Guinea-Bissau government was responsible for the security of the population and development.
of UNIOGBIS was extended and the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
was asked to monitor its progess. Guinea-Bissau parties were urged to engage in dialogue, and the armed forces were called upon to cease interference in political issues and respect constitutional order and civilian rule. At the same time, political leaders were asked not to involve the military and judiciary
in politics and resolve problems through political means.
The resolution further called upon the government to continue investigations into political assassinations that took place in March and June 2009 and hold those responsible accountable. It also had to ensure due process of law with respect to those responsible for crimes, release or prosecute those detained during the unrest of April 2010, and tackle corruption
.
Finally, UNIOGBIS, the African Union
, European Union
and CPLP were asked to assist in the peacebuilding efforts in Guinea-Bissau and tackle organised crime and drug trafficking.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Security Council Resolution
United Nations Security Council Resolution
A United Nations Security Council resolution is a UN resolution adopted by the fifteen members of the Security Council; the UN body charged with "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security"....
1949, adopted unanimously on November 23, 2010, after recalling previous resolutions on the situation in Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau
The Republic of Guinea-Bissau is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Senegal to the north, and Guinea to the south and east, with the Atlantic Ocean to its west....
, particularly Resolution 1876
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1876
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1876 was unanimously adopted on 26 June 2009.- Resolution :The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-Bissau until 31 December and requested the Secretary-General to establish a United...
(2009), the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau
United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau
The United Nations Inegrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau is a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Guinea-Bissau.It was established by Resolution 1876 of the United Nations Security Council in 2009 and succeeded the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-Bissau . It is...
(UNIOGBIS) for a further period of one year until December 31, 2011.
Observations
In the preamble of the resolution, the Council expressed concern about the continued instability in Guinea-Bissau, including the lack of civilian oversight of the militaryMilitary of Guinea-Bissau
The Armed Forces of Guinea-Bissau consist of an Army, Navy, Air Force and paramilitary forces. A 2008 United Nations Development Programme census estimated that there were around 4,000 personnel in the Armed Forces. An earlier CIA World Fact Book figure was 9,250...
and unlawful detentions since the unrest in April 2010
2010 Guinea-Bissau military unrest
Military unrest occurred in Guinea-Bissau on 1 April 2010. Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior was placed under house arrest by Military of Guinea-Bissau soldiers, who also detained Army Chief of Staff Zamora Induta...
. It stated that the situation in the country posed threats to security and stability in the region, particularly the issue of drug trafficking. All parties in Guinea-Bissau had to continue dialogue, promote human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
and the rule of law
Rule of law
The rule of law, sometimes called supremacy of law, is a legal maxim that says that governmental decisions should be made by applying known principles or laws with minimal discretion in their application...
and fight against impunity
Impunity
Impunity means "exemption from punishment or loss or escape from fines". In the international law of human rights, it refers to the failure to bring perpetrators of human rights violations to justice and, as such, itself constitutes a denial of the victims' right to justice and redress...
.
Meanwhile, the resolution also praised the work of the Economic Community of West African States
Economic Community of West African States
The Economic Community of West African States is a regional group of fifteen West African countries. Founded on 28 May 1975, with the signing of the Treaty of Lagos, its mission is to promote economic integration across the region....
(ECOWAS) and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) and affirmed that the Guinea-Bissau government was responsible for the security of the population and development.
Acts
The mandateMandate (international law)
In international law, a mandate is a binding obligation issued from an inter-governmental organization like the United Nations to a country which is bound to follow the instructions of the organization....
of UNIOGBIS was extended and the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon is the eighth and current Secretary-General of the United Nations, after succeeding Kofi Annan in 2007. Before going on to be Secretary-General, Ban was a career diplomat in South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the United Nations. He entered diplomatic service the year he...
was asked to monitor its progess. Guinea-Bissau parties were urged to engage in dialogue, and the armed forces were called upon to cease interference in political issues and respect constitutional order and civilian rule. At the same time, political leaders were asked not to involve the military and judiciary
Judiciary
The judiciary is the system of courts that interprets and applies the law in the name of the state. The judiciary also provides a mechanism for the resolution of disputes...
in politics and resolve problems through political means.
The resolution further called upon the government to continue investigations into political assassinations that took place in March and June 2009 and hold those responsible accountable. It also had to ensure due process of law with respect to those responsible for crimes, release or prosecute those detained during the unrest of April 2010, and tackle corruption
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
.
Finally, UNIOGBIS, the African Union
African Union
The African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity...
, European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
and CPLP were asked to assist in the peacebuilding efforts in Guinea-Bissau and tackle organised crime and drug trafficking.
See also
- 2010 Guinea-Bissau military unrest2010 Guinea-Bissau military unrestMilitary unrest occurred in Guinea-Bissau on 1 April 2010. Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior was placed under house arrest by Military of Guinea-Bissau soldiers, who also detained Army Chief of Staff Zamora Induta...
- Guinea-Bissau Civil WarGuinea-Bissau Civil WarThe Guinea-Bissau Civil War was triggered by an attempted coup d'état against the government of President João Bernardo Vieira led by Brigadier-General Ansumane Mané in June 1998...
- History of Guinea-BissauHistory of Guinea-BissauThe history of Guinea-Bissau was dominated by Portugal from the 1450s to the 1970s; since independence, the country has been primarily controlled by a single-party system.-Portuguese rule:...
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1901 to 2000 (2009 – 2011)
- United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-BissauUnited Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-BissauThe United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-Bissau was established by the United Nations Security Council in its Resolution 1233 in April 1999 to facilitate the general election and implementation of the Abuja Accord....