CPLP: Executive Secretary speaks of “unfortunate statements”

The executive secretary of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), Zacarias da Costa, described his remarks about Guinea-Bissau as unfortunate and wished the organization's Guinea-Bissau presidency "the greatest success." The Timorese, who has held the position for four years, arrived in Bissau today for the 15th CPLP Summit, scheduled for July 18th, with the organization's rotating presidency being transferred from São Tomé and Príncipe to Guinea-Bissau.

When, in 2024, it was confirmed that Bissau would assume the presidency of the CPLP for the next two years, the executive secretary spoke twice about the political situation in Guinea, expressing concern about the “less favorable situation” in the African country.

The statements prompted reactions from Guinea-Bissau's diplomatic corps and even from the President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, who called Zacarias da Costa audacious and having gone beyond his authority within the organization. The CPLP executive secretary arrived in Bissau today and was received in an audience by the Guinean President at the presidential palace.

At the end of the meeting, only Zacarias da Costa made any statements and, when questioned by journalists about the previous controversy, he stated that he had never said that Guinea-Bissau was not in a position to assume the presidency of the CPLP.

"I won't back down. I think we're sometimes unwise in our statements. The most important thing is that I'm not the only one here; almost all the heads of state and government are here. I think all member states will be represented at the highest level, and that's what matters," he declared.

Zacarias da Costa argued that "the CPLP is a community with a future," that its members must look to the future, and that Guinea-Bissau "is also a good example" of how it is possible to "work together."

"Guinea-Bissau will assume the presidency of the CPLP in a few days. Everything is in place, and I can assure you that we have always had all the necessary support and coordination with the Bissau authorities to ensure this summit is a success," he said. "The success of the presidency in Guinea-Bissau is the success of the entire CPLP," he added.

Zacarias da Costa stressed that as Executive Secretary and as Secretariat of the CPLP, they work “with all countries, especially those that assume the presidency, and to ensure that the summits are successful.

The Bissau summit is being held under the motto of food security, a path to sustainable development. The outgoing Executive Secretary described the meeting with the Guinean President as a time to offer farewell greetings and to thank the head of state, the government, and the Guinean people for their "warm, fraternal welcome."

"And I'd also like to express my gratitude for all the support I received as Executive Secretary over the past four years, the two terms I served as head of our Executive Secretariat," he added. For the new cycle, Zacarias da Costa wishes "Guinea-Bissau the greatest success" and is available to provide whatever is needed during Guinea-Bissau's presidency of the CPLP.

"To always support all the efforts of this country within the framework of the CPLP, so that our community can become a strong community, a living community, a community of the future, a community of citizens and peoples," he stated.

Angola has proposed diplomat and former Angolan minister Maria de Fátima Jardim to replace Zacarias da Costa as the organization's executive secretary. The CPLP is made up of Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, and East Timor.