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UN Security Council "rejects" establishment of transitional council by Guinea-Bissau military

21 April 2012 21:16 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. The UN Security Council on Saturday said that it is against the creation of a Transitional National Council by the military junta that recently seized control of Guinea-Bissau, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

"The Security Council rejects the unconstitutional establishment of a Transitional National Council by the military leadership and its supporters," said a presidential statement, which was adopted and read at an open council meeting by Susan Rice, U.S. permanent representative to the UN and the president of the council for the month of April.

Members of the Guinea-Bissau military took control over the government on April 12, simultaneously arresting several government officials, including the country’s prime minister and interim president. Following the coup, the military junta released its plan to establish a transitional government.

"The Security Council demands the immediate restoration of the constitutional order as well as the reinstatement of the legitimate government of Guinea-Bissau," said the statement. "The Security Council further demands the immediate and unconditional release of the Interim President Raimundo Pereira, Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior, and all officials currently detained in order to enable the completion of the presidential and legislative elections."

A second round of presidential elections in the West African country is scheduled for April 29. The elections are to be held to replace Malam Bacai Sanha, the former president of the country, who passed away on Jan. 9.

"In this regard, the council welcomes the decision of the African Union Peace and Security Council to suspend, with immediate effect, Guinea-Bissau from the African Union (AU) until the effective restoration of constitutional order," the statement said.

According to the statement, the members of the council are very concerned about reports of human rights violations in Guinea- Bissau like violent repression of peaceful demonstrators as well as arbitrary detentions.

"The council calls on the military leadership to release information on the number of arrests and the names and whereabouts of those arrested and further calls upon the military to protect human rights including the rights to freedom of movement, peaceful assembly, and expression," said the statement.

The statement noted that the council is "ready to consider" possible measures to deal with the situation in Guinea-Bissau " should the situation remain unresolved."

Measures that could be considered include "targeted sanctions against the perpetrators and supporters of the military coup," the statement added.