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PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 408™ MEETING
13 DECEMBER 2013
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
PSC/PR/COMM.2(CDVIII)
COMMUNIQUE
COMMUNIQUE
The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 408th meeting held on 13 December 2013, adopted the following decision on the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR):
Council,
Takes note of the update provided by the Commission on the latest developments in the situation in the CAR and the efforts to fully operationalize the African-led International Support Mission in the CAR (MISCA);
Recalls communique PSC/PR/COMM.2(CCCLXXXV) authorizing the deployment of MISCA, adopted at its 385th meeting, held on 19 July 2013, as well as its communique PSC/PR/COMM.l(CDVI) adopted at its 406th meeting, held on 13 November 2013;
Expresses deep concern at the continued deterioration of the situation on the ground, particularly the recent incidents that took place in Bangui and the heightened communal and inter-religious tensions and clashes. Council reiterates its strong condemnation of the continued abuses and other serious violations of human rights committed against the civilian population, including killings, disappearance, arbitrary arrest and detention, torture, sexual violence and rape and use of children as child soldiers. Council stresses, once again, that those responsible for these acts shall be held accountable and demands that the transitional authorities assume their responsibilities regarding the protection of the civilian population. Council appeals to the people of CAR and other stakeholders to refrain from acts of violence and retribution;
Welcomes the adoption, by the Security Council, on 5 December 2013, of resolution 2127 (2013), authorizing the deployment of MISCA for a period of twelve (12) months. Council further welcomes the steps taken by the Commission, in consultation with the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and other stakeholders, towards the operationalization of MISCA, including the transfer of authority from the ECCAS Peace Consolidation Mission in the CAR (MICOPAX) to MISCA;
Decides to authorize a temporary increase in MISCA's strength up to six thousand (6,000) uniformed personnel, subject to a review within a period of three months, in light of the evolution of the situation and the needs on the ground and on the basis of a report to be submitted by the Chairperson of the Commission;
Stresses the need to ensure that the number of uniformed personnel remains, at all given times, within the limit of the authorized strength, and requests all troop and police contributing countries to strictly comply with the force generation requirements in liaison with the AU Commission and extend the necessary cooperation to this effect;
Recalls its earlier communiques on the need for effective operational coordination between MISCA, on the one hand, the contingents operating within the framework of the Regional Cooperation Initiative for the Elimination of the Lord's Resistance Army (RCI-LRA) operating in eastern CAR and, on the other hand, with the French Forces mandated under resolution 2127 (2013). Council welcomes the steps taken on the ground to ensure close coordination between MICOPAX and the French Forces, and requests the leadership of MISCA to further strengthen this coordination, as well as ensure effective coordination with the RCI- LRA contingent;
Reiterates its appeal to all AU Member States and partners to contribute financial and logistical resources to the successful deployment and sustenance of MISCA. Council reiterates its appreciation to the ECCAS countries for their sustained efforts and sacrifices, as well as to the European Union, France and the US for the support already extended to MISCA;
Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.