Keep on supporting Guinea-Bissau

To: European governments, European NGOs, Donors

Petition by the organizations CIDAC (Portugal), INTERPARES (Canada) and Solidarite Socialiste (Belgium)

To the European Foreign Affairs Ministers
To the leaders of European NGOs

From the conquering and recognition of its independence in 1974, Guinea-Bissau has suffered political instability and demonstrated very little capacity to assure a minimum level of basic needs satisfaction for its 1,5 million inhabitants. Facing growing predatory exploitation of its natural resources, with environmental and social risks caused by mining operations without proper legislation and the State's inability to assume its regulator and referee role, along with recent waves of political unexplained murders, the country has additionally found itself tangled in the narcotraffic web over the last 4 years. Guinea-Bissau is part of a region where the sum of the instabilities represents a real risk to all Western Africa.

Within this volatile context, Non-Governmental Organizations from Guinea-Bissau have played a fundamental role in maintaining minimum stability though their civic action, and systematically providing a number of basic services to the populations in the areas of health, education, agriculture, economy and environment... trough their interventions both in urban and rural areas. Following the legislative and presidential elections that took place in 2008 and 2009, witch have reestablished constitutional law in the country, Guinean Civil Society Organizations will additionally play a crucial part in ingraining the ideas of democracy, social justice, fight against poverty and for the environment, alongside with a government that remains fragile and with little means to reach out to all the population and territory.

Facing this scenario and in a moment where the necessity for continuous support to Guinean Civil Society Organizations seems so obvious as well as a precondition for building and consolidating a true culture of peace in Guinea-Bissau, it is with unease we hear of the departure of long time allies of Guinean NGOs, especially in the cases of the withdrawal announcements made by historical partners such as OXFAM NOVIB, in the context of drastic changes in the Dutch cooperation policy framework.

To allege lack of visible results in contrast with the effort and investments made by European States and NGOs in Guinea-Bissau, as well as being far from the truth, is a fundamental strategic error. Development is a long term process and attaining social justice is only possible though ties of solidarity which in turn need time to mature and become fruitful.

The undersigned organizations and individuals support this petition and reiterate the necessity of
- donors
- European Governments and
- European NGOs

not to give in to current trends of aid concentration that very clearly contribute to further marginalizing countries such as Guinea-Bissau, and to reconsider their relationship with Guinea-Bissau, making funds available and weaving long term alliances and solidarity ties with Guinean CSO, thus assuring that CSO can continue to fulfill their vital role in the country's development.