Communiqué of the 1045th meeting of the PSC held on 8 November 2021, on the situation in Ethiopia

AFRICAN UNION

UNIAO AFRICANA

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 1045™ MEETING

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA 8 NOVEMBER 2021

PSC/PR/COMM.1045(2021)

COMMUNIQUE

Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1045^th meeting held on 8 November 2021, on the situation in Ethiopia:

The Peace and Security Council,

Committed to silencing the guns in Africa by the year 2030, in order to create the required conditions for the realization of Agenda 2063, pursuant to paragraph 10 of the Assembly Decision [Ext/Assembly/AU/Dec.l(XIV)], adopted by the 14^th Extraordinary Session ofthe Assembly ofthe Union on Silencing the Guns in Africa, on 6 December 2020;

Recalling Press Statements issued by the Chairperson ofthe AU Commission, particularly on 3 November 2021; on 29 June 2021; on 25 June 2021; and on 9 November 2020;

Noting the opening remarks by Permanent Representative of the Arab Republic of Egypt and PSC Chairperson for the month of November 2021, H.E. Ambassador Mohamed Omar Gad; the statement by the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye; the briefing by the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa, H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and the statement made by the Permanent Representative the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the African Union, H.E. Ambassador Tesfaye Yilma; and

Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council,

1. Reaffirms its strong commitment to the preservation of the sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity ofthe Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and expresses its solidarity with the people of Ethiopia;

2. Expresses deep concern on the situation in Northern Ethiopia particularly the recent military escalation and expansion of the conflict, and its conviction that the escalation of the conflict has a determinant impact on peace, security and stability in Ethiopia and the wider region, as well as on the political and humanitarian situation;

3. Reiterates its long standing commitment against any attempt aimed at unconstitutional change of government, pursuant to the relevant AU instruments, while underscoring the key importance of continuous efforts towards deepening the culture of democracy and promotion of good governance in the Continent;

4. Underlines its conviction that there is no military solution to the ongoing conflict, and thus calls upon all the parties to commit to an immediate cessation of hostilities with a view to pursuing a lasting, unconditional and comprehensive ceasefire and durable peaceful solution;

5. Urges the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and all other relevant parties to the conflict, while being guided by a commitment to the supreme national interest of the country, to engage in a meaningful and genuine dialogue that aims at finding a lasting peaceful solution to the conflict, while underlining the importance of an inclusive, genuine and comprehensive national dialogue to sustaining peace, stability, democracy, good governance and reconciliation in Ethiopia;

6. Underscores its full support to the efforts of the High Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission for the Horn of Africa, H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, towards cessation of hostilities and peaceful resolution of the conflict, and welcomes other international and regional efforts exerted towards supporting the realization of these objectives;

7. In this regard urges all the parties to engage constructively with the High Representative within his mandate; and reassures him of the unwavering support of the Council in discharging his mandate; while restating, the African character of his work in furtherance of African solution to African problems;

8. Condemns all forms of hate speech and incitement to hatred, violence and discrimination, as well as mobilization of civilians, particularly the youth and children, on the basis of national or ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic identity, and calls upon all political actors and stakeholders to refrain from engaging in any inflammatory speech that complicates the endeavors to restore peace and tranquility; further urges the media to be more responsible, report professionally and to refrain from propagating fake news which may incite violence in the community;

9. Expresses its deepest concern over the dire humanitarian situation resulting from the ongoing violence and conflict, including in relation to the wide scale forced displacement of refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, and in this regard calls on the parties to ensure safe and unimpeded access of humanitarian assistance to the affected communities and the safety of humanitarian workers; underscores the paramount importance of ensuring the flow of commodities, including food, medical and fuels items;

10. Reiterates the fundamental importance of ensuring strict compliance and respect to international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and that all alleged violations and abuses by all parties should be impartially, effectively, transparently and promptly investigated with a view to preventing impunity and to bringing the perpetrators to justice; while expressing serious concern with all violations and abuses of human rights ; and takes note, in this regard, ofthe report of the joint investigation conducted by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Ethiopian Commission for Human Rights, as well as the ongoing investigation by the African Commission for Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR);

11. Appeals to international community to refrain from adopting unilateral coercive measures that run contrary to international law;

12. Urges the parties to conflict to respect the sanctity of human life, guarantee the safety and security of property, including the AU Headquarters, the diplomatic community and the property and staff; in this regard, requests the Chairperson ofthe AU Commission to intensify efforts to ensure safety of the staff and the property of the AU, as well as provide access to information;

13. Requests the Chairperson of the AU Commission to provide periodic updates on the situation and the efforts aimed at reaching a peaceful solution in Ethiopia, especially measures being taken towards de-escalation ofthe conflict and lasting peace;

14. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.