Brussels, 17/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - On 16 December, the European Commission decided to urge the Council of the EU to get the authorities in the Republic of Guinea to political consultations in Brussels. This will be done in order to look at how to rectify the violations of democratic principles, rule of law and human rights in this country that fell into the hands of a military junta that set up as the National Council for Democracy and Development at the end of last year. Formed on 14 January 2009, the national transitional government, which claims to be civilian, actually counts 10 armed services personnel among its 28 ministers.
Political consultations with Conakry have been going on since March 2004. they are included in Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement linked 78 ACP (Africa/Caribbean/Pacific) countries to the EU in the event of breaches of one or several essential elements of this agreement (respect for democratic principles, rule of law, human rights). From 14-16 January 2009, an exploratory missions was organised with the participation of the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Its conclusions have convinced the Commission of a “particularly serious violation of these essential elements”. The Council of the EU will therefore compose a draft letter to be addressed to the prime minister of the Transitional Government of Kabiné Komara, to invite him to explain his intentions with regard to a road map for the peaceful and democratic transition and the urgent re-establishment of constitutional order (agreement with all parties on the transition stages, implementation of a national transition council including all views and enjoying the powers of a constituent assembly, updated in the legal framework, general and presidential elections organised freely and transparently before the end of the year. The draft letter explains that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms will be considered essential. (A.N./trans/rh)