While the results of the December presidential elections in Guinea Bissau are still contested, the European Union called for dialogue on Thursday 12 March to resolve the post-election crisis.
“The process has yet to be finalised and all parties should respect the legal and constitutional framework [...] The parties should give priority to dialogue and refrain from any unilateral action that could further exacerbate tensions”, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said in a written declaration issued on behalf of the EU.
“In this regard, it is important that the defence and security forces do not interfere in the process”, the statement says.
The European Union “supports ECOWAS’ mediation role and its efforts to consult with the Supreme Court of Justice and the National Electoral Commission” and would be very much in favour of “a high-level ECOWAS political mission to help speed up efforts” towards a way out of the crisis.
Umaro Sissoco Embalo has appointed his government and is on a regional tour, presenting himself as the elected president of Guinea Bissau, while the electoral dispute is still unresolved. His opponents, who support his rival, Domingos Simões Pereira, denounced the “takeover”. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)