AFRICAN UNION
UNIAO AFRICANA
Addis AbabaTEthiopia, P.O. Box: 3243 Tel.: (251-11) 5513 822 Fax: (251-11) 5519 321
Email: situationroom@africa-union.org
PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 972nd MEETING
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
24 DECEMBER 2020
PSC/PR/1(CMLXXII)
COMMUNIQUE
COMMUNIQUE
Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 972nd meeting held on 24 December 2020 on the situation in the Central African Republic:
The Peace and Security Council,
Taking note of the Information Note provided by the AU Commission on the latest developments in the Central African Republic (CAR);
Recalling its previous decisions on the situation in the CAR, including, Communique [PSC/PR/COMM.1 (DCCCXLIVI11)], adopted at its 848th meeting held on 9 May 2019, Press Statement [PSC/PR/BR.l (DCCCLXXXIV] adopted at its 884th meeting, held on 10 October 2019, and Communique [PSC/PR/1(CMXXXVI)] adopted at its 936th meeting held on 10 July 2020;
Welcoming the conclusions of the 18th Ordinary Summit of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) held in Libreville Gabon, on 27 November 2020; and the joint AU-UN-ECCAS-EU Communique of 4 December 2020; the statement of the UN Secretary General of 18th December, the G5+ Statement of 20 December 2020, as well as the Statement of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission of 21 December 2020 on the situation in the CAR;
Reaffirming the solidarity of the AU with the Government and the people of the CAR and AU's commitment for the respect of the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the CAR; and
Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council:
Recognizes the progress made in the implementation of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic (APPR-RCA); reiterates its call for its full implementation contributing towards lasting peace and stability in the country;
Welcomes the commitment undertaken by all CAR political and social key actors to honour their commitment to address their differences through peaceful means and to hold free, fair, inclusive and peaceful general elections on 27 December 2020 as the only legitimate means of gaining power; also welcomes the decision taken by the Constitutional Court concerning the validation of presidential and legislative candidates;
Reaffirms its commitment to constitutionalism to help consolidate the democratic process and its gains in the CAR and rejects any idea or strategies aiming at unconstitutional political transition in the country; in this regard, calls on all the parties to uphold the electoral calendar defined by the National Electoral Authority (ANE) and the Constitutional Court, and to subscribe to the letter and spirit of the Code of good conduct proposed by the "Cadre de concertation";
Urges all armed groups and political actors to refrain from any actions that might obstruct the smooth running of the electoral process, any action or attitude that might hinder the performance of ANE agents, as well as any measure that might hamper free movements of the population and candidates throughout the electoral process; warns that whoever insists in doing so will be held personally accountable and will be liable to legal and political prosecution;
Stresses that CAR's stability has impact on the whole region, emphasizing the crucial role of the region, including neighbouring countries; in this regard, emphasizes on the need to ensure that efforts are redoubled towards the attainment of lasting peace and stability;
Express deep concerns over the escalation of violence in the country and the collusion between some armed groups and political leaders that has brought about more unjustified deaths, misery and desolation to the population; In this regard, strongly condemns the decision of the former president Francois Bozize to collude with some armed groups and for launching a rebellion warfare against the government and UN peacekeepers (MINUSCA) which resulted in blatant human rights violations, war crimes and crimes against humanity for which he will be held personally accountable;
Also strongly condemns all leaders of Armed Groups and political actors who have decided to disrupt the electoral process and participate in the ongoing military actions in violation of their commitments towards the APPR-RCA and warns that they will also be held personally accountable;
Pays tribute to the MINUSCA, for its continued multifaceted effort and support to the CAR and its main institutions namely in the protection of civilian, in the provision of technical assistance to the electoral process, as well as in helping the Defense and security forces secure the country;
Welcomes the military support being provided by some ECCAS Member States to the CAR to facilitate law and order enhancement, as well as the restoration of state authority, peace and security throughout the country; appeals to all neighbouring countries to continue contributing to the stabilisation of the country and facilitation of the upcoming electoral process;
Expresses its appreciation to all CAR international technical and development partners for their financial and material support to the electoral process and for their continued commitment towards economic and social development of the country;
Encourages the people of CAR, including the signatory and non-signatory parties, political actors, Civil Society, women and youth associations to continue supporting the implementation of the APPR-RCA, which remain the sole credible path for the restoration of a lasting peace in the whole country, beyond the electoral process;
Also encourages all CAR political stakeholders to establish new platforms for permanent dialogue or consensus building on matters of governance or national interest and/or enhance the existing ones;
Calls upon the international community to mobilize funds necessary to overcome the financial gap of the electoral basket funds;
Decides to remain actively seized of the situation in CAR.