Resolution on the Situation in Guinea Bissau

We the participants, at the Forum on the Participation of NGOs at the 34th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and at the 8th Book Fair on Human Rights in Africa, held at the Corinthia Atlantic Hotel, Banjul, from 3rd to 5th November, 2003,

Recalling article 13(1) of the African Charter for Human and Peoples’ Rights which bestows on all citizens “the right to participate freely in the public affairs of their country either directly or through the intermediary of freely elected representatives….”;

Cognisant that the political change of the14th September, 2003, ran counter to the democratic process for the accession to power;

Aware of the general institutional breakdown prevailing in the country with its plethora of privations endured by the civilian population;

Recalling the importance of holding free, fair and pluralist elections to re-establish the legitimate public institutions;

Call on the Provisional Authorities in Guinea Bissau:

o to uphold the provisions of the African Charter for Human and Peoples’ Rights ;
o to keep to the timetable for legislative and presidential elections drawn up under the aegis of the African Union, that is March 2004 and August 2005, respectively;

Call on the International Community to urgently resume cooperation with Guinea Bissau, gauge the actual requirements for minimum macro- economic stabilisation, in order to bolster the on-going confidence building process and the planned transition;

Done in Banjul on 5th November, 2003