Brussels, 13 April 2012/ ACP: The Secretary-General of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP Group), H.E Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, has expressed his shock and dismay at the development of events in Guinea-Bissau, including the attempted coup d’etat carried out on Thursday 12 April 2012 by the country’s armed forces.

On behalf of the ACP Group, the Secretary General has strongly condemned the attempted coup, which occurred between the first and second round of the presidential election in Guinea-Bissau, seriously jeopardising the efforts made to ensure that respect for democratic principles and the rule of law are firmly established in Guinea-Bissau. The Secretary General has also condemned the attack on the residence of Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior and called for the preservation ofthe Prime Minister'sphysical and moral integrity, and that of the Interim President Raimundo Pereira.

The Secretary General urges all the parties concerned to exercise the utmost restraint in this difficult situation.

For more information contactJosephine Latu-Sanft +32 2 7430617, latu@acp.int

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