"2019 is a pivotal year for Guinea-Bissau to end recurring cycle of instability" - Briefing

Assistant Secretary-General Bintou Keita told the Security Council that 2019 “is a pivotal year for Guinea-Bissau to seize the opportunity to end the recurring cycle of instability that has hampered its socioeconomic development for decades.”
Keita said, “the risk of further instability” in the period leading to the presidential election, slated for 24 November this year, “is high, with political rivalries and poor economic prospects for the population.”
The Assistant Secretary-General told the Council “the political environment continues to negatively impact the economic performance of the country and the living conditions of the population.”
The human rights situation, she said, “continues to be negatively impacted by socio-economic tensions, including targeted restrictions on freedom and civil liberties” and added that “upholding these tights remains crucial to sustaining peace, stability and development in Guinea-Bissau.”
Keita said, “all national actors must be mindful of their duties towards the people of Guinea-Bissau and the need to transcend narrow individual and party interests.”
All efforts, she said, “must be made to ensure the timely holding of an inclusive, credible and peaceful presidential election,” adding that “both the Government and the international community should abide by their commitments to provide resources for the election.”