Brussels, 25/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - The Union immediately condemned the military coup d'état in Guinea-Bissau on 12 April, Danish European Affairs Minister Nicolai Wammen said during a debate on the matter during European Parliament plenary session on Wednesday 23 May. It is a priority to return to constitutional order and to resume the democratic process but “exactly how is unclear”, he said. Efforts have been made by ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), said Wammen, pointing out that it should continue its mediation in order to reach a transitional agreement in greater synergy with the African Union and with the Community of Portuguese Language Countries. He went on to underline the need to “remove the army's grip on power”, to put an end to the impunity of those who have violated human rights, and to punish the authors of the coup d'état (the EU has adopted sanctions against six members of the military government and is prepared to extend that list). Wammen believes it would be useful for the international community to create a contact group responsible for closely monitoring the situation.
The fate of Guinea-Bissau which, Portuguese ministers believe, does not sufficiently interest the international community, is particularly dear to those ministers. All point to the pernicious role of drug trafficking in a country which “apparently does not present sufficient economic interest” to receive effective assistance, said Paolo Rangel (EPP). And yet, as Ana Gomes asserts for the S&D Group, that country has “set such a good example to the rest of the world in its fight against colonialism”. Under the grip of the military, the population faces the threat of humanitarian tragedy, and Gomes calls for the Union to be more present, as does Rui Tavares speaking for the Greens/EFA, who calls for peacekeepers and security forces to be despatched there. Joao Ferreira, speaking for the GUE/NGL, supports this analysis, advocating “more sincere and just cooperation” on the part of the international community.
While condemning the fact that “presidential elections have derailed” and that there is a practically constant conflict situation in Guinea-Bissau, Charles Tannock (ECR, UK) sees the work being done by ECOWAS as giving reason for hope in the near future. (LG/transl.jl)