Communique of the 380th PSC meeting on the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) Ref:PSC/PR/COMM.1(CCCLXXX)

AFRICAN UNION
(A/ii juni

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, P.O.Box 3243 Tel.: (251-11) 5513 822 Fax: (251-11) 5519 321

Email: situationroom@africa-union.org

PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 380^thMEETING

17 JUNE 2013

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

PSC/PR/COMM. l(CCCLXXX)

COMMUNIQUE

COMMUNIQUE

The Peace and Security of the African Union (AU), at its 380^th meeting, held on 17 June 2013, adopted the following decision on the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR):

Council,

1. Takes note of the Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the situation in the CAR [PSC/PR/2. (CCCLXXX)] and the briefing by the Commissioner for Peace and Security, as well as of the statements made by the representatives of Chad, in its capacity as the Chair of theEconomic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), South Africa, Rwanda, Togo, France, the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU);

2. Recalls Declaration Assembly/AU/Decl.l (XXI) on the Report of the Peace and Security Council on its Activities and the State of Peace and Security in Africa adopted by the 21 Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government, held in Addis Ababa, from 26 to T1 May 2013, in particular, paragraph 10 which "endorses the decisions of the Peace and Security Council on the issue and requests that efforts be intensified to restore security and ensure return to constitutional order." Council also recalls its previous communiques and press statements on the CAR, notably its communique PSC/PR/COMM.l(CCCLXXV) adopted at its 375^thmeeting held on 10 May 2013;

3. Reiteratesits deep concern at the continuing violations of human rights and insecurity in the CAR, including pillaging, both in Bangui and in the country side. Council also notes with deep concern the very limited progress made with respect to the cantonment and disarmament of the Seleka elements, as well as in the reconstitution of a core force of police and gendarmerie to protect civilians;

4. Recalls the Roadmap adopted by the 4^th Extraordinary Summit of the ECCAS Heads of State and Government held in Ndjamena, on 18 April 2013, and the conclusions of the l^stmeeting of the International Contact Group on the CAR (ICG-CAR), which took place in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, on 3 May 2013. In this regard, Council reiterates the need for the CAR transitional institutions to be truly inclusive, and forthe scrupulous respect of the prerogatives of the Prime Minister of the transition. Council also calls for sustained international support to facilitate the transition in the CAR and, in this respect, commends the Economic and Monetary Community of Central African States (CEMAC) for the decision taken, at its Summit of 14 June 2013, to extend financial assistance in support of the stabilization efforts in the CAR;

5. Takes note of the conclusions of the Military Assessment Mission of the Mission for the Consolidation of Peace in the CAR (MICOPAX), which visited Bangui from 2 to 7 May 2013, under the leadership of the Commission and with the participation of representatives of the ECCAS General Secretariat, the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), the EU and the UN. Council welcomesthe recommendations of the Mission, particularly with regard to the need for enhanced international security presence to ensure the protection of civilians and carry out other related tasks, as contained in paragraphs 18 to 20 of the report of the Chairperson of the Commission;

6. Supports, in principle, the establishment of an African-ledlnternational Support Mission for the Central African Republic (AFISM-CAR), whose core elements will be constituted by the contingents serving under the MICOPAX, augmented, as necessary and within a maximum strength of 3,500uniformed personnel, including police, by contingents provided by other Member States, as indicated in the report of the Military Assessment Mission of MICOPAX, in order to contribute to: (i) the protection of civilians and the restoration of security and public order, through the implementation of appropriate measures, (ii) the stabilization of the country and the restoration of state authority, (iii) the reform and restructuring of the defense and security sector, and (iv) the creation of conditions conducive to the provision of humanitarian assistance to the needy populations. Council requests the Commission to develop, in consultation with ECCAS and other potential troop and police contributing countries, as well as with relevant international partners, notably the EU the UN and La Francophonie, a concept of operations and a concept of logistical support, and to submit to it a detailed report, within 30 days from the date of this communique, to enable it to take the required decision on the envisaged AFISM-CAR;

7. Requests the Commission, in the meantime, to actively consult with ECCAS, including thePlanning Element (PLANELM) of its Regional Standby Force,to agree on urgent modalities for the restructuring and strengthening of MICOPAX within the envisaged new security arrangements referred to in paragraph 6 above;

8. Further requests the Commission to continue and intensify its efforts towards the mobilization ofsupport from the UN, the EU and La Francophonie, as well as from bilateral partners, toward thestrengthening of MICOPAX and the effective operationalization of the envisaged AFISM-CAR, as will be decided by Council;

9. Reiterates its support for the efforts being deployed on the ground by the Special Representativeof the Chairperson of the Commission in the CAR, Hawa Ahmed Youssouf, and encourages her to continue her efforts. Council expresses its deep appreciation for the work of the United Nations Integrated Office in the CAR (BINUCA) and its Head, Margaret Vogt. Council pays tribute to Mrs. Vogt for her outstanding commitment and contribution to the efforts aimed at addressing the situation in the CARthroughout her tenure at the helmof BINUCA. Council takes note of the appointment of General Babacar Gaye as the new Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of BINUCA, and emphasizes the need for continued close cooperation between the AU and the UN in the CAR;

10. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.