939th Communique of the PSC on the security situation in the Sahel and consideration of the revised Draft Strategic Concept Note on Planning Guidance for the Deployment of 3000 troops

AFRICAN UNION

(A/»i jUhi

UNIAO AFRICANA

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PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 939™ MEETING 30 JULY 2020

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

PSC/PR/COMM.(CMXXXIX)

COMMUNIQUE

Adopted by the Peace and Security Council at its 939^th meeting held on 30 July 2020 on the security situation in the Sahel and consideration of the revised Draft Strategic Concept Note on Planning Guidance for the Deployment of 3000 troops,

The Peace and Security Council,

Noting the opening remarks by H.E. Ambassador Joel Nkurabagaya, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Burundi and Chairperson of the PSC for July 2020 and the briefings made by H.E. Ambassador Smail Chergui, Commissioner for Peace and Security and Col Ntureka Didace, Defence Attache of the Embassy of Burundi and the Chairperson of the PSC Military Staff Committee; also noting the presentations made by H.E. Francis Behanzin, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the ECOWAS Commission; Ambassador Maman Sidikou, the Executive Secretary of the G5 Sahel; General Oumarou Namata Gazama, the Force Commander of the G5 Sahel Joint Force; and Madam Zainab Ali Kotoko, the Executive Secretary of Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA);

Recalling Articles 6 and 7 of the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union and its previous communiques and press statements on the activities of the G5 Sahel Joint Force, in particular communique [PSC/PR/1/COMM.(CMXX)], adopted at its 920^th meeting held on 21 April 2020;

Also recalling the decision [Assembly/AU/Dec.792(XXXIII)] on the situation in Libya and Sahel, adopted by the 33^rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union, held from 9 to 10 February 2020, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, relating to the possible deployment, within the relevant provisions ofthe PSC Protocol related to the African Standby Force (ASF), of a force composed of the Joint Multi-National Task Force and 3000 troops for six months, in order to further degrade terrorist groups in the Sahel; and

Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council,

1. Expresses deep concern, once again, over the deterioration of the security and humanitarian situations in the Sahel region, particularly the continuation of terrorist attacks, as well as the socio-economic challenges which continue to set back development activities; condemns, in strongest terms possible, all attacks by terrorist, armed and criminal groups against civilians and security institutions of the countries of the region; in this regard, pays tribute to those who lost their lives during these attacks and wishes speedy recovery to those who have been injured;

2. Commends the efforts deployed by the G5 Sahel Joint Force and its Member States in degrading the fighting capacity ofthe terrorist, armed and criminal groups operating in the Sahel, despite the challenges facing the force, including the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in the continent;

3. Also commends the efforts of the international community in supporting the efforts of the G5 Sahel Joint Force and in this regard, welcomes the UN Security Council resolution 2531 (2020) of 29 June 2020, extending the mandate of United Nations Multidimensional Intergraded Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), which continues to provide logistical support to the G5 Sahel Joint Force; urges the UN Security Council to take the necessary steps that will guarantee sustainable and predictable funding for the G5 Sahel Force from the UN assessed contribution;

4. Takes note of the report and recommendations of the meeting of Military Staff Committee of the PSC, held on 4 June 2020, on the process of the deployment of 3000 troops in the Sahel;

5. Takes note of the Revised Strategic Concept Note on Planning Guidance for the Deployment of 3000 Troops to the Sahel; requests the Commission to ensure due consultations by the relevant decision-making bodies of the G5 Sahel and ECOWAS, in order to incorporate contributions from their respective Member States; and also requests the Commission to revise Strategic Concept Note based on the guidance provided by the Council during this meeting, including the funding of the deployment and submit to Council for consideration;

6. Takes note of the ongoing consultations between the AU Commission, the G5 Sahel and the ECOWAS with regard to the development of the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for the deployment of the 3000 troops and requests the AU Commission to take into account the input of the decision-making bodies of the G5 Sahel and ECOWAS, as well as the Joint Multi-National Task Force in finalizing the CONOPs and submit it to the Council for consideration;

7. Decides to authorize the renewal of the mandate of the G5 Sahel Joint Force for a period of twelve (12) months, starting from 13 July 2020; and

8. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.