Guinea Bissau: NGOs condemn coup

Gathered between the 25th and 27th of April 2012, a set of national and international Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) concerned with the political and military situation launched by the coup d'e tat of April 12,

Concerned with the political, social and economic implications and consequences of this action, namely in regard to the functioning of institutions and national, food and sanitary security of populations at large,

Recognising that the worsening of this situation is causing essential goods' shortness and price increase, population displacement in search for security outside the Country's capital with strong educational and public health repercussions, at a stage when the rainy season is approaching and with it high cholera and other epidemic risks,

Considering that with the unclenching of this situation the communities' living conditions are further aggravated by the limited performance capacity of NGOs,

Taking into account that the present juncture is leading to the Country's international isolation,

Bearing in mind that the maintenance or deterioration of the current situation will lead to an emergency situation that will jeopardise ongoing development efforts and lead to a retrogress in terms of the accomplishments already achieved in this scope,

The signatory national and international NGOs hereby:
1. Condemn the coupd'e tat,

2. Appeal to the immediate release of all those detained in the course of this process, to the end of political persecution and to the respect for human rights, namely those of a political and civic nature,

3. Plead for the restitution of constitutional law and order,

4. Call for all national and international actors involved in solving the current situation to engage in the search of sustainable solutions through dialogue,

5. Reaffirm the commitment and dedication to their work towards the promotion of community development with a view to the national well-being,

6. Ask all NGOs to articulate and coordinate their efforts, both regionally and thematically, in order to minimise the risks and impacts of the present political and military situation,

7. Ask the communities and population in general to keep the peace, social cohesion and solidarity that characterise the Guinean people, even throughout complex situations and crises,

8. Plead with national and international economic operators to sympathise with the population by avoiding essential goods' price increases while the situation prevails,

9. Appeal to national and international media to relay a wider image of the Country, reflecting the reality of the populations and giving them voice,

10.Plead with the international community to continue its efforts towards the promotion of peace, safety and development in Guinea-Bissau.

Bissau, April 27th 2012

Signing organisations:

1. ACEP
2. ACPP
3. AD
4. ADIM
5. AIDA
6. AIFA/PALOP
7. AJPCT
8. ALTERNAG
9. AMIC
10. CIDAC
11. CIDEAL
12. COPE
13. DIVUTEC
14. EAPP
15. EMI
16. ENGIM
17. ESSOR

18. FUDEN
19. IEPALA
20. IMVF
21. KAFO
22. LGDH
23. MANITESE
24. MEDICUSMUNDI
25. MON-CU-MON
26. NADEL
27. PAZ Y DESARROLLO
28. PLAN GUINEA BISSAU
29. RASALAO
30. RENARC
31. SNV
32. TINIGUENA
33. VIDA