Communique: The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 266th meeting, held on 16 March 2011, reviewed the situation in Niger

AFRICAN UNION

UNIAO AFRICANA

P.O. Box: 3243, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tel.:(251-ll) 551 38 22 Fax: (251-11) 55193 21
Email: situationroom@africa-union.org

PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 266™ MEETING

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

16 MARCH 2011

PSC/PR/COMM(CCLXVI)

COMMUNIQUE

COMMUNIQUE OF THE 266^th MEETING OF
THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL

The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 266^th meeting, held on 16 March 2011, reviewed the situation in Niger, and adopted the following decision:

Council:

1. Takes note of the briefing made by the Commissioner for Peace and Security on the situation in Niger, and the statement by the representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the country holding the presidency of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS);

2. Recalls its earlier communiques on the situation in Niger [PSC/AHG/COMM.2 (CCVII) cf 29 October 2009, PSC/PR/COMM.2 (CCXVII) of 19 February 2010, PSC/PR/BR.2 (CCXX) of 11 March, 2010 PSC/PR/BR.l (CCXXXII) of 17June 2010, and PSC/PR/BR (CCXVIII) of 13 November 2010];

3. Welcomes the successful holding, on 12 March 2011, of the 2^nd round of the presidential election, which was deemed free, fair and transparent, by all election observation missions, including the AU one. Council commends the calm, wisdom and high sense of responsibility shown by the people of Niger before and during the elections and the proclamation of results;

4. Notes with satisfaction that this election marks the culmination of the transition process initiated in March 2010, by the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy (CSRD), which led to the holding of a constitutional referendum, on 31 October 2010, local elections, on 8 January 2011, as well as parliamentary elections and the 1^st round of the presidential election, on 31^st January 2011;

5. Congratulates H.E. Mr. Mahamadou Issoufou for his election, and reiterates its deep appreciation to General Salou Djibo, Head of State and Chairman of the CSRD, the members of the CSRD and the Government, as well as to the political forces of Niger, for having led the transition to completion, in accordance with their commitments;

6. Notes the restoration of constitutional order in Niger, and decides to lift the suspension of the participation of the Republic of Niger in AU's activities, as contained in paragraph 5 of the Communique issued at the end of its 216^th meeting held on 19 February 2010;

7. Expresses its gratitude to all AU partners, notably ECOWAS, the United Nations and the European Union (EU), for their support to the process of the restoration of constitutional order in Niger. Council, in particular, notes with satisfaction the contribution of the tripartite mechanism involving the AU, ECOWAS and the United Nations, through the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, the President of the ECOWAS Commission and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa;

8. Reiterates the commitment of the AU to continue to support the authorities of Niger in their efforts to consolidate the democratic process and promote the socio-economic development of their country, and calls upon the international community to provide all the support required to consolidate the progress made in Niger;

9.