DECISION ON THE REPORT OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY
COUNCIL ON ITS ACTIVITIES AND THE STATE OF
PEACE AND SECURITY IN AFRICA
Doc. Assembly/AU/7(XXXI)
The Assembly,
TAKES NOTE of the report on the Activities of the Peace and Security Council and the State of Peace and Security in Africa;
URGES the parties in Madagascar, under the auspices of the AU and in collaboration with the SADC, the UN and EU, to pursue their efforts towards a negotiated and consensual solution to the current political crisis in their country with a view to creating conditions conducive for the holding of peaceful, credible and transparent elections. The Assembly COMMENDS the High Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission for Silencing the Guns Ambassador Ramtane Lamamra, for building consensus between the Malagasy parties that resulted in the designation of the Prime Minister and the formation of Government of national consensus. Furthermore, the Assembly APPEALS to the bilateral and multilateral partners of Madagascar to provide effective support to the electoral process in that country;
RECALLS the peaceful environment enjoyed by the Comorian people following the adoption of the Fomboni Agreement of February 2001 and the Comorian Constitution thereafter and STRONGLY UNDERLINES the necessity of their continued respect. The Assembly URGES the stakeholders to engage in dialogue, without delay, and an inclusive consultation on constitutional reforms, under the auspices of the AU. In this context, the Assembly REQUESTS the Peace and Security Council to continue following closely the situation in the Comoros;
COMMENDS the efforts of IGAD to revitalize the process of implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS) with a view to assisting the parties to further reconciliation and achieve durable peace. The Assembly URGES the parties to abide by their commitments, accept in good faith the bridging proposal. The Assembly COMMENDS the work done by the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) and the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) to ensure compliance with the signed Agreements. In this respect, the Assembly CALLS ON the Government of South Sudan and the armed movements to fully cooperate with CTSAMM in the discharge of its mandate and UNDERSCORES that any obstruction of the work of CTSAMM shall be deemed as a violation of the ARCSS, and in this regard, punitive measures shall be taken accordingly;
UNDERSCORES THE IMPORTANCE of continued close coordination among the AU, IGAD and UN, and CALLS for consultations between the AU Ad Hoc Committee and IGAD in order to further enhance the support to IGAD efforts. The Assembly TAKES NOTE of the communique of the 32nd Extra Ordinary Summit of IGAD held on 21st June 2018, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Assembly ENDORSES the communique of the Peace and Security Council meeting, held on 30th June 2018, at the level of Heads of State and Government, and ENCOURAGES the AU High-Level ad hoc Committee on South Sudan, through the AU High Representative for South Sudan, Alpha Oumar Konare, as well as the Chair of the JMEC, Mr. Festus Mogae, to continue their efforts in support to IGAD towards the early ending of the bloody conflict ravaging South Sudan. The Assembly WELCOMES the face-to-face talks held on 20 June 2018 between President Salva Kiir Mayardit and Dr. Riek Machar Teny under the auspices of the IGAD Chairperson, H.E Dr Abiy Ahmed Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia;
WELCOMES the communique of the 32nd extraordinary session of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government on South Sudan held on 21 June 2018, in Addis Ababa, which, among other aspects, decided that the face-to-face meetings should continue in Khartoum and Nairobi. The Assembly also WELCOMES the subsequent meeting held under the auspices of President Hassan Al Basher of Republic of Sudan and attended by President Yoweri Museveni of the Republic of Uganda, which culminated with the Khartoum Declaration Agreement on 27 June 2018. Furthermore, the Assembly WELCOMES the continued efforts of Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt to support the process of SPLM reunification;
COMMENDS the Government of Sudan and UNAMID for their collaborative efforts to address the Darfur crisis and UNDERSCORES THE NEED for a gradual draw down process, to be informed by the recommendations of the Special Report of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission and the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the Strategic Review of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) and PSC communique [PSC/PR/COMM.(DCCLXXVIII)] adopted at its 778th meeting held on 11 June 2018. The Assembly URGES the Government to continue, through the residual committees of the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA), to intensify efforts towards addressing land issues, return of internally displaced persons, reconciliation, peace building and addressing the root causes of the conflict in Darfur, in the framework of Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development. The Assembly CALLS ON the armed groups that are still out of the DDP, to
immediately enter into genuine dialogue with the Government in order to expedite the implementation of this peace agreement;
URGES the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan to implement their commitments as outlined in the 2012 Cooperation Agreement and the subsequent decisions of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism and REQUESTS the AU Commission, through the African Union High Level Implementation Panel for Sudan and South Sudan, to continue its engagements with the two Governments, to assist them in building two viable states living side by side in peace;
COMMENDS the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia for its recent expression of commitment to the implementation of the Algiers Peace Agreement signed with Eritrea, on 12 December 2000, and to fully accept the decision of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC). The Assembly also COMMENDS the State of Eritrea for positively responding to this offer and the step taken towards opening a new chapter of cooperation, including the dispatch of its delegation to Addis Ababa, in the spirit of upholding good neighbourliness. The Assembly REAFFIRMS ITS COMMITMENT to accompany the two Governments in their efforts to normalize relations for the good their people, who share a common history and destiny;
EMPHASIZES the need for all countries in the Horn of Africa to engage towards maximizing possibilities for achieving lasting peace in the entire region and CALLS FOR continued efforts to facilitate the normalization of the relations between Djibouti and Eritrea in line with Assembly Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.583(XXV) adopted by the 25th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 14 and 15 June 2015;
WELCOMES the Somalia Transition Plan, as a sound basis for the country to realize durable peace. The Assembly RE-AFFIRMS the AU’s support to the FGS in its transition implementation activities. The Assembly COMMENDS the joint efforts by the Chairperson of the Commission and the UN Secretary-General in exploring options for predictable and sustainable funding for AMISOM, through the respective Special Envoys, namely Ramtane Lamamra and Jean-Marie Guehenno. The Assembly REQUESTS the UN Security Council to endorse the recommendations of the report of the AU-UN Envoys for predictable and sustainable funding for AMISOM and Somali Security Forces during the Transition period and REITERATES ITS CALL on the UN for AMISOM and Somali Security Forces to be funded predictably and sustainably from the UN assessed contributions;
WELCOMES the efforts by the authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),as well as by the National Independent Elections Commission (CENI), with the support of the AU Commission, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and other AU Member States, and the United Nations in the preparations, organization and holding of the upcoming general elections scheduled for December 2018. In this regard, the Assembly REITERATES its call for the mobilisation of the necessary support from AU Member States for the successful organization of the presidential, legislative and provincial elections. Furthermore, the Assembly ENCOURAGES the Congolese political and social actors to make the necessary compromises, with a view to preserving continuous dialogue and sprit of consensus, as the only way to the conduct of peaceful elections. In this regard, the Assembly URGES the CENI to take all necessary measures to enlist the services of the team of Electoral Experts dispatched by the AU and international partners, in order for the team to provide the assistance and the assurances required regarding the use of the voting machine. The Assembly FURTHER URGES the Congolese authorities to continue fully cooperating with the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) and of its Intervention Brigade with regard to operations aimed at neutralizing armed groups in Eastern DRC. The Assembly EXPRESSES SOLIDARITY with the Congolese people in the face of the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak and COMMENDS the efforts deployed by the AU Commission and the DRC that resulted in the containment of the epidemic;
REITERATES ITS FULL SUPPORT to the Central African authorities in their efforts to restore order and authority throughout the territory, including in the overall reconstruction of the country. The Assembly ALSO REITERATES ITS CALL to the armed groups to put a definitive end to the use of violence , respect the elected and decentralised authorities and unconditionally join the political process for the resolution of the current crisis, under the African Initiative for Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR. The Assembly COMMENDS the efforts of the Member States of the Facilitation Panel and ENCOURAGES other AU Member States to support the implementation of the African Initiative. The Assembly ALSO COMMENDS the efforts of the international partners of the CAR, including the EU, and ENCOURAGES them to pursue their efforts. The
Assembly FURTHER COMMENDS the United Nations Integrated Multidimensional Stabilization Mission in CAR (MINUSCA), and UNDERSCORES THE NEED to strengthen the Mission as announced in November 2017. The Assembly CALLS ON the countries of the region to continue assisting the CAR in its efforts towards stabilization and socio-economic recovery;
TAKES NOTE of the statement made by H.E President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi not to stand for the presidential elections in 2020, and CALLS UPON the Government and all other political actors to work together in pursuance of an all-inclusive and consensual dialogue to enhance cohesion and peace in the country. The Assembly COMMENDS H.E. Yoweri Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda and Mediator of the East African Community, as well as H.E. Benjamin Mkapa, the Facilitator, for their leadership of the Inter-Burundian Dialogue process. The Assembly REQUESTS the Commission to accompany Burundi during this phase and contribute, together with the East African Community, to its efforts towards an all-inclusive dialogue and the strengthening of democracy and respect for human rights in the country. The Assembly FURTHER CALLS for the lifting of sanctions imposed by the European Union on Burundi in order to create the opportunity for socio-economic recovery in the country;
WELCOMES the progress achieved thus far in Guinea Bissau and COMMENDS the stakeholders for adhering to and implementing the 2016 Conakry Agreement, demonstrating commitment to, and respect for the country’s Constitution, in enabling the functioning of the country’s institutions. The Assembly UNDERSCORES THE IMPERATIVE for the Bissau-Guinean stakeholders to consolidate the gains made thus far by acting in unity for the good of the country. In this context, the Assembly REITERATES ITS APPRECIATION for the efforts deployed by the AU, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), the EU and the UN in addressing the situation in Guinea-Bissau and finding a lasting solution to the crisis in that country. The Assembly LOOKS FORWARD to the consolidation of measures that will allow the holding of free and fair elections following the calendar announced by the Government and endorsed by the People’s National Assembly;
WELCOMES the gains made in the implementation of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali and URGES for speedy progress, as the only way to durable peace and security in the country. The Assembly LOOKS FORWARD to the holding of peaceful, free and fair elections at the end of July 2018, that will consolidate peace and stability in Mali. The Assembly EXPRESSES ITS CONCERN, ONCE AGAIN, at the deterioration of the security situation in Mali, with its spillover effect to the central regions of the country and the neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger. The Assembly WELCOMES the progress made in operationalizing the G5 Sahel Joint Force and UNDERSCORES the commitment of the AU to assist in articulating a regionally-coordinated response within the framework of the Nouakchott Process, as well as other Regional Economic Communities (RECs) on the Enhancement of Security Cooperation in the
Sahelo-Saharan region. The Assembly REITERATES ITS APPEAL to the international community, in particular, the United Nations Security Council, to take appropriate steps in order to ensure sustainable and predictable funding for the Joint Force and enhance its capacities in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. In the same context, the Assembly CALLS UPON the international partners to honour the pledges they made during the Brussels Conference and ONCE AGAIN, UNDERLINES THE IMPORTANCE of a holistic approach in order to more effectively address the security, governance and development challenges facing the region;
WELCOMES the progress being made in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorist group and in this regard, COMMENDS the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) for the relentless fight against the Boko Haram terrorist group. The Assembly ALSO COMMENDS the AU Partners for their continued support and APPEALS for additional support for the MNJTF, in order to fill its capability gaps, particularly with respect to Amphibious Equipment and Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices (C-IED) equipment, as well as resources for stabilization efforts;
EXPRESSES, ONCE AGAIN, its deep concern over the persistent security situation in Libya, which continues to prolong the suffering of the Libyan people. The Assembly TAKES NOTE of the efforts being deployed at the regional, continental and international levels to find a lasting solution to the situation with a view to promoting national reconciliation and successfully completing the ongoing transition in Libya. In this regard, the Assembly WELCOMES the organisation of meetings on Libya by neighbouring countries, the Quartet, the United Nations (UN) and other partners. The Assembly ENDORSES the Conclusions of the Ministerial Meeting, held in Addis Ababa, on 17 April 2018 and WELCOMES the outcomes of the International Conference on Libya that was convened under the auspices of the United Nations, on 29 May 2018 in Paris. The Assembly TAKES NOTES of the commitment of the Libyan leaders to the establishment of a constitutional basis, the adoption of electoral laws, the organisation of legislative and presidential elections, as well as to an all-inclusive Political Conference. The Assembly CALLS for the organisation of an inclusive Inter-Libyan National Reconciliation Forum, under the auspices of the UN and AU, in August 2018, with a view to establishing conducive conditions for the successful organisation of credible and peaceful elections. The Assembly EXPRESSES ITS APPRECIATION to H.E Denis SASSOU N'GUESSO, President of the Republic of the Congo and Chairman of the AU High Level Committee on Libya for his relentless efforts towards the restoration of lasting peace in Libya;
TAKES NOTE of the efforts being deployed towards the full operationalization of the African Standby Force (ASF). In this regard, the Assembly REQUESTS the
Commission to provide quarterly briefings to the PSC on the harmonization of ACIRC within the framework of ASF. The Assembly CALLS for the holding of regular exchanges between the PSC and the relevant organs of the RECs/RMs, on the enhancement of the ASF and its Rapid Deployment Capability and implementation of other joint initiatives, most notably, the MNJTF, RCI-LRA, G5 Sahel Joint Force, in support of the realization of the full operationalization of the ASF. The Assembly DIRECTS that, in line with the implementation of Assembly/AU/Dec.679 (XXX) and PSC/PR/COMM.(DCCLXVII), quarterly briefings by RECs/RMs be made to the PSC on conflict and crisis situations in their regions, in line with Article 16 of the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the PSC of the AU so as to ensure joint AU-RECs/RMs strategic and political agreement, decision making and engagement on key issues in managing and resolving conflicts;
COMMENDS the Commission for scaling up the implementation of Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) in post-conflict countries. In this context, the Assembly REAFFIRMS ITS SUPPORT to the ongoing reforms in The Gambia and COMMENDS the efforts of the AU Commission and the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) to stabilize the areas affected by the Boko Haram terrorist group through the development of a Regional Stabilization, Recovery and Resilience Strategy. The Assembly CALLS on AU Member States and international partners to extend the necessary financial and technical assistance to support the implementation of the Strategy. The Assembly ALSO CALLS on Member States and RECs/RMs to increase their support to the AU’s PCRD efforts to stabilize countries emerging from conflict or undergoing difficult transitions;
UNDERLINES THE NEED, ONCE AGAIN, for Africa to continue building on the ongoing efforts to revitalize the AU Peace Fund, which is a strategic asset in the continent’s efforts to lead and control its peace and security agenda by availing predictable and sustainable funding. In this context, the Assembly, REITERATES ITS ENCOURAGEMENT to all Member States to continue deploying efforts towards the revitalization of the AU Peace Fund and EXPRESSES ITS APPRECIATION to those who have already made contributions to the Fund;
UNDERLINES THE IMPORTANCE of preventing conflicts in Africa and REAFFIRMS the need to prevent the ideology of hate, Genocide and hate crimes in Africa. The Assembly ENDORSES the decision of the PSC of its 761st session held on 5 April 2018 in Addis Ababa to designate 7th April of each year as the African Union Day of Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsis in Rwanda. The Assembly further ENDORSES the decision of the same PSC that corrected the nomenclature of the Genocide Against the Tutsis in Rwanda, to be: “The 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsis in Rwanda”;
REITERATES ITS CONCERN on the migration situation in Africa, and ENDORSES the decision of the PSC at its 771st meeting held on 11 May 2018, which agreed to the establishment of the African Migration Observatory in Morocco following the proposal of His Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco and AU Champion for Migration;
REAFFIRMS ITS COMMITMENT, ONCE AGAIN, to promoting greater participation of women in peace efforts in Africa. In this regard, the Assembly WELCOMES the adoption on 16 May 2018, by the Peace and Security Council, of the Continental Results Framework for Monitoring and Reporting on Delivery by Member States on commitments and implementation progress on women, peace and security. The Assembly COMMENDS the Commission for the efforts to fully operationalize FEMWISE, including the organization of capacity building training programmes with a view to ensuring active participation of women in AU- led peace efforts in the Continent.