AFRICAN UNION <A/n juni UNION AFRICAINE UNIAO AFRICANA
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PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 416™ MEETING AT THE LEVEL OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA 29 JANUARY 2014
PSC/AHG/C0MM.2(CDXVI)
COMMUNIQUE
The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 416th meeting held on 29 January 2014, adopted the following decision on the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR):
Council,
Takes note of the report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the situation in the Central African Republic and the activities of the African-led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic - MISCA [PSC/AHG/3(CDXVI)], as well as of the statement made by the Chairman of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS);
Recalls communique PSC/PR/COMM(CCCLXIII) adopted at its 363rd meeting held on 25 March 2013, condemning the illegal seizure of power by the Seleka group and the resulting unconstitutional change of Government, as well as its subsequent communiques and press statements on the situation in the CAR, including communique PSC/AHG/COMM.2 (CDXI), adopted at its 411th meeting held in Banjul, The Gambia, on 30 December 2013;
Pays tribute to the current Chairman of the ECCAS and the Chairman of the ECCAS Follow-up Committee on the CAR, Presidents Idriss Deby Itno of Chad and Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo, respectively, and the other leaders in the region, for their continued commitment to peace, security and stability in the CAR. Council notes with satisfaction the important decisions taken by the ECCAS Extraordinary Summit held in Ndjamena, on 9 and 10 January 2014, reaffirms the leading role of the current Chairman of the ECCAS and the Chairman of the Follow-up Committee in the political support to the transition, and expresses its full support for their efforts. Council urges the international community as a whole, including the United Nations, to provide all necessary support to the efforts of the leaders of the region to facilitate an effective international action in support of the CAR;
Expresses its concern about the security, humanitarian and human rights situation in the CAR, particularly the persistence of attacks against civilians in different parts of the CAR territory, despite the undeniable progress made on the ground thanks to the action of MISCA and the French Forces of Operation Sangaris. Council notes with deep concern the heightened religious and inter-communal tensions arising from abuses carried out by various armed groups, particularly the ex- Seleka and anti-Balaka groups;
Demands that all concerned CAR stakeholders, including the leaders of former Seleka and the anti-Balaka group and officials of the regime of former President Francois Bozize, to unequivocally call on their supporters to put to an immediate end to attacks against civilians and any other action that may undermine efforts aimed at restoring peace, security and stability in the CAR and to promote reconciliation. Council calls upon the Commission to review and adjust, as necessary, the list of individuals targeted by sanctions, as annexed to its communique PSC/PR/COMM(CCCLXIII);
Welcomes the imposition by the Security Council, for an initial period of one year, of an arms embargo on the CAR, in accordance with the relevant provisions of United Nations Security Council resolution 2127 (2013) of 5 December 2013. Council also welcomes the decision of the Security Council to impose, for an initial period of one year, travel restrictions and freezing of assets on individuals and entities designated by the Sanctions Committee established by the Security Council in conformity with paragraph 57 of resolution 2127 (2013). Council requests the Commission and MISCA, as well as all Member States, to provide all necessary support to the Panel that the UN Secretary-General will establish pursuant to paragraph 59 of resolution 2127 (2013);
Welcomes the establishment, on 22 January 2014, of an International Commission of Inquiry to shed light on violations of human rights and the International Humanitarian Law in the CAR since 1 January 2013, and requests MISCA to provide, as appropriate, necessary support to this Commission. Council welcomes the deployment by the Commission of a first group of human rights observers within MISCA and requests the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights to take all necessary steps to contribute to the promotion and observance of human rights in the CAR and to submit to it a special report to this end;
Stresses the primary responsibility of the CAR actors to end violence, stabilize the security situation, promote national reconciliation and find a lasting solution to the multidimensional challenges facing their country. Council further stresses the need for the speedy convening of the National Reconciliation Conference provided for in the communique of the ECCAS Extraordinary Summit held on 9 and 10 January 2014, and requests the ECCAS General Secretariat and the Commission to provide, to this end, all necessary support to the Mediator and the CAR parties;
Welcomes the establishment, on 16 December 2013, of the National Elections Authority (ANE), the support already extended by the partners and the steps taken by MISCA to secure the premises of the ANE and calls for the mobilization of additional support for the ANE. Council also welcomes the election, on 20 January 2014, by the National Transitional Council (CNT), of Ms. Catherine Samba-Panza as Head of State of the Transition, as well as the subsequent appointment of a Prime Minister in the person of Mr. Andre Nzapayeke, and the formation of a new Government. Council expresses the hope that these measures will make it possible to re-launch the Transition and ensure its conclusion within the agreed time frame;
Reiterates its appreciation to MISCA and its leadership for the efforts being made with the support of the French Sangaris Operation in a particularly challenging environment, welcomes the significant results already achieved in restoring security in Bangui and in the stabilization of the country, and urges MISCA to pursue the action initiated. Council thanks the MISCA Troop and Police Contributing Countries (TCCs and PCCs) of MISCA, and urges the Commission to pursue its efforts towards the generation of additional troops on the basis of the procedures in force as regard to AU peace support operations and within the strict limit of the Mission's authorized strength. Council requests the TCCs and PCCs to lend the necessary cooperation to this end;
Urges all the AU Member States to seize the opportunity of the Donors' Conference scheduled in Addis Ababa on 1st February 2014, in conformity with the relevant provisions of UN Security Council resolution 2127 (2013) to contribute to the funding of MISCA. Council, recalling communique PSC/AHG/COMM.2(CDXI) and taking note of the letter addressed on 17 January 2014 by the Chairperson of the Commission to the members of the Peace and Security Council, requests all its members to contribute to the budget of MISCA;
Reiterates its appreciation to the AU partners which already support MISCA, namely the United States, France and the European Union (EU), notes with satisfaction the technical support provided by the United Nations in conformity with paragraph 37 of Security Council resolution 2127 (2013 ) of 5 December 2013, as well as the contributions already made to the Trust Fund established by the UN Secretary-General pursuant to paragraph 43 of resolution 2127 (2013), by Canada and Luxembourg, and the pledges made by Japan and the United Kingdom. Council reiterates its appeal to all the AU partners to participate in the Donors Conference, contribute to the funding of MISCA and provide all other necessary support to enable the Mission to effectively carry out its mandate;
Stresses the need to ensure that all international efforts are geared towards the strengthening of MISCA and the mobilization of the necessary resources in its favor, to enable it to effectively discharge its mandate and pave the way for the possible deployment of a UN peacekeeping operation, in conformity with the relevant provisions of resolution 2127 (2013). Council takes note of the mission that an integrated team of the UN Peacekeeping Operations Department will undertake to the CAR, from 4 to 15 February 2014, to enable the Secretary- General to carry out the assessment provided for by resolution 2127 (2013) and to make, as soon as possible, recommendations to the Security Council on the transformation, in due course, of MISCA into a UN peacekeeping operation, including an assessment of the progress made to meet the necessary conditions for such a deployment. Council welcomes the participation of the Commission in this assessment, and looks forward to receiving on time an update on the outcome of the assessment, to enable it to rapidly pronounce itself on the issue;
Urges all international actors concerned to maintain close consultations with the Commission and the region about their initiatives in order to ensure the necessary harmonization, and enhance the effectiveness of the African efforts in the CAR. In this respect, Council stresses the imperative for BINUCA, Sangaris Operation and the planned EU force to closely coordinate their efforts with MISCA;
Takes note of the decision adopted, on 20 January 2014, by the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU to launch a military operation in the CAR, within the framework of the Common Defense and Security Policy in support of MISCA and reiterates its deep appreciation to the EU for its commitment to enhance its support to the African force and the political efforts of the region. Council also takes note of the authorization given by the Security Council to this operation, through resolution 2134 (2014) of 28 January 2014. Council welcomes the consultations between the AU and the EU on the areas where MISCA needs support and the manner in which the European operation should be configured to enable it effectively support MISCA in the fulfillment of its mandate, and requests the Commission to submit regular updates on the matter;
Welcomes the convening in Brussels, on 20 January 2014, of a high-level conference on the humanitarian situation in the CAR, and stresses the need for the speedy concretization of the commitments made. Council appeals to the international community to support the efforts of the neighboring countries which host Central African refugees;
Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.