| Author (Corporate) | European Commission |
|---|---|
| Series Title | COM |
| Series Details | (2015) 75 final (26.2.15) |
| Publication Date | 26/02/2015 |
| Content Type | Policy-making |
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On 31 January 2011 the European Union decided to initiate consultations with the Republic of Guinea-Bissau under Article 96 of the revised Cotonou Agreement. This decision was made following the events of 1 April 2010. On that day, on the orders of the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, General Antonio Indjai, a group of mutinous soldiers arrested Chief of Staff José Zamora Induta and the Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau, Carlos Gomes Junior. This mutiny and the subsequent appointment of its main instigators to high-ranking posts in the military hierarchy were considered a clear and serious breach of the essential elements referred to in Article 9 of the Cotonou Agreement (specifically, respect for democratic principles) and as a case of special urgency. Consequently, a letter was sent to the Guinea-Bissau authorities on 2 February 2011 inviting them to enter into consultations. At the first consultation, which took place in Brussels on 29 March 2011, Guinea-Bissau undertook to carry out a number of actions. With Council Decision 2011/492/EU of 18 July 2011, the European Union decided to adopt appropriate measures to ensure the honouring of these undertakings, including a schedule of mutual commitments leading to the gradual resumption of EU cooperation. As part of the six-monthly review of appropriate measures under Article 96 provided for in Council Decision 2011/492/EU, a joint monitoring mission from the European External Action Service and Commission services took place from 13 to 15 January 2015 in order to assess the extent to which the essential elements (democratic principles, rule of law, human rights, good governance) laid down in Article 9 of the Cotonou Agreement were being respected and to measure the progress made by Guinea-Bissau in implementing its undertakings with a view to lifting the Article 96 measures. On the basis of the findings of the joint monitoring mission and the recommendations of the resident and non-resident EU Heads of Mission to Guinea-Bissau, and taking into account the holding of credible elections, the restoration of the constitutional order, the establishment of an inclusive government committed to implementing the reform necessary for the development and stability of the country, and the encouraging progress made on implementing the Article 96 commitments, it appears politically appropriate to lift the Article 96 appropriate measures laid down in Council Decision 2011/492/EU. The full resumption of the EU’s cooperation with Guinea-Bissau will send a strong political message in support of the newly elected authorities, enabling the EU to fully engage in supporting the country’s reform programme and development agenda and contribute to the international community’s ongoing efforts to bring about a return to constitutional order and reduce the risk of Guinea-Bissau’s democratic institutions being further weakened. |
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| Source Link | http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2015:075:FIN |
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| Countries / Regions | Africa, Europe |
