The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Jean Ping, has learned with grave concern the assassination of Mr. Baciro Dabo, a member of the Political Bureau of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) and Minister of Territorial Administration, who suspended his activities in the Government in order to stand as Presidential candidate in the elections scheduled for 28 June 2009, as well as Helder Proenca, former Minister of Defense, member of the Political Bureau of PAIGC and member of the National People's Congress. The Chairperson of the Commission strongly condemns these assassinations, which occurred after the killing of President Joao Bernardo Vieira and the Chief of Staff of the Bissau-Guinean Army last March, and at a time when Guinea Bissau is preparing to hold presidential elections.
The Chairperson of the Commission is in permanent contact with his Special Envoy, Joao Bernardo de Miranda, who is currently in Bissau to follow up on the visit he made to Guinea Bissau at the end of April and the consultations he held recently in Abuja with the President of the ECOWAS Commission. Immediately following the announcement of today's killings, the Special Envoy initiated consultations with the local authorities and members of the international community to discuss with them the evolution of the situation and the actions to be undertaken to address it. The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates the commitment of the AU, in close coordination with ECOWAS and other partners of the AU, to do everything it can to help stabilize the situation in Guinea Bissau, which would include the fight against impunity. The Chairperson of the Commission will, in due course, submit a comprehensive report to the Peace and Security Council, to enable it to take the necessary decisions. The Chairperson of Commission urges all stakeholders in Guinea Bissau to show a sense of purpose and to place the interests of their country aboce other considerations.
Addis Ababa, 5 June 2009