Addis Ababa, 17 September 2014: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, continues to closely follow the evolution of the situation in Guinea-Bissau, particularly following the presidential and legislative elections of April and May 2014.

The Chairperson of the Commission welcomes the determination of President Jose Mario Vaz and of his Government in initiating the required reforms in Guinea-Bissau.

The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates the AU’s support to the democratically-elected institutions in their efforts towards recovery in the country, in consultation with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as well as with the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), the International Organization of la Francophonie (OIF), the European Union (EU), the United Nations and other members of the international community, as evidenced by the presence, at this moment, in Bissau, of a joint assessment mission.

The Chairperson of the Commission calls on all the political stakeholders to maintain the sense of responsibility which they have demonstrated during the Transition, with a view to consolidating and deepening democracy in the country.