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/4 (XII)
The Assembly:
TAKES NOTE of the report of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) on its activities and the state of peace and security in Africa;
WELCOMES the efforts deployed to promote peace, security and stability in Africa, as well as the progress made towards the operationalization of the African Peace and Security Architecture, particularly with respect to the Continental Early Warning System (CEWS) and the African Standby Force (ASF). The Assembly ENCOURAGES all parties concerned to redouble their efforts to resolve the ongoing conflicts and consolidate peace where it has been achieved. The Assembly also REQUESTS the Commission to continue supporting the ongoing processes and mobilizing the assistance of the international community to that effect;
STRESSES the need for more proactive efforts to prevent conflicts and, in this respect, REQUESTS the Chairperson of the Commission to submit to it a comprehensive report on the efforts undertaken so far to prevent conflicts and how best they could be enhanced;
EXPRESSES SERIOUS CONCERN at the resurgence of the scourge of coups d’etat in the Continent which constitutes a serious political regression and a reversal of the ongoing democratization process in the Continent, requiring firm and unequivocal response on the part of Member States. The Assembly STRONGLY CONDEMNS the coups d’etat that occurred in Mauritania and Guinea on 6 August and 23 December 2008 respectively, as well as the attempted coup d’etat in Guinea Bissau on 23 November 2008. The Assembly FULLY SUPPORTS the decisions of the Peace and Security Council in the three cases as well as the efforts deployed by the Commission towards restoration of constitutional legality in Mauritania and Guinea;
WELCOMES the progress achieved in the process of national reconciliation in the Comoros and ENCOURAGES the Comorian parties to continue to work together in the spirit of consensus to consolidate these gains, including through the necessary rationalization of the existing institutional architecture of the Archipelago and harmonization of the numerous electoral timeframes in the country;
WELCOMES the progress made in the political process in Somalia, particularly the signing, on 19 August and 26 October 2008 respectively, of the Djibouti Agreement and the Agreement on the Modalities for the Cessation of Armed Confrontation, as well as the decision to establish an inclusive and expanded Parliament and a Unity Government. The Assembly ENCOURAGES the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS) to continue with their efforts, and URGES all Somali stakeholders that have not yet done so to commit themselves to dialogue and join the peace process. The Assembly STRONGLY CONDEMNS those elements seeking to undermine the peace efforts, as well as peace and stability in the region as a whole, and EXPRESSES ITS FULL SUPPORT for the decision by IGAD, as endorsed by the PSC, to impose targeted sanctions on all those intent on undermining the ongoing efforts;
WELCOMES the election of a new President for Somalia which represents a major breakthrough in the peace process and EXPRESSES its satisfaction over this latest development; URGES all Somali stakeholders to work with the TFG and join the peace process. The Assembly strongly CONDEMNS those elements that are undermining the peace efforts;
FURTHER WELCOMES the extension of the transitional period by two years and CALLS ON the international community to lend increased support to the TFG so that the progress achieved can be sustained in order to bring lasting and durable peace in the country;
EXPRESS ITS FULL SUPPORT for the decision of IGAD as endorsed by the PSC to impose targeted sanctions on all those intent on undermining the ongoing efforts;
TAKES NOTE of the completion by Ethiopia of the withdrawal of its forces from Somalia in line with the Djibouti Agreement and REITERATES AU’s appreciation for the sacrifice made by Ethiopia and its commitment to the search for a lasting solution to the conflict in Somalia. The Assembly PAYS TRIBUTE to AMISOM and the Troop Contributing Countries, namely Burundi and Uganda, for their commitment to the peace and reconciliation process in Somalia.
ALSO PAYS TRIBUTE to the AU partners and Member States, in particular Algeria, for providing financial and/or logistical support to AMISOM, and WELCOMES the adoption by the UN Security Council, on 16 January 2009, of Resolution 1863(2008), in which it expressed its intent to establish a UN peacekeeping operation in Somalia as a follow-up to AMISOM, subject to a further decision by 1 June 2009, and authorized the provision of a support package to AMISOM. The Assembly URGES the Security Council to urgently adopt a resolution authorizing the deployment of the envisaged peacekeeping operation;
REITERATES its concern at the continued impasse in the peace process between Ethiopia and Eritrea, and CALLS FOR renewed efforts, including by the AU, to assist the two countries overcome the current situation, normalize their relations and lay the foundation for a comprehensive and lasting peace between them;
FURTHER REITERATES ITS CONCERN at the persisting tension at the border between Djibouti and Eritrea and in the relations between the two countries. The Assembly RECALLS the decision adopted by the PSC at its 138th Meeting held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on 29 June 2008, as well as its own decision on the matter. In this respect, the Assembly WELCOMES the efforts being deployed by members of the international community, including the adoption by the UN Security Council, on 14 January 2008, of resolution 1862(2008), which, inter alia, demanded that Eritrea withdraw its forces and all their military hardware to the status quo ante position, acknowledge its border dispute with Djibouti, engage actively in dialogue to defuse the tension, as well as in diplomatic efforts leading to a mutually acceptable settlement, and abide by its obligations as a member of the United Nations. The Assembly CALLS FOR speedy implementation of this resolution and REQUESTS the Commission to maintain consultations with the United Nations and other stakeholders, with a view of contributing to the early resolution of this conflict;
WELCOMES the efforts invested towards successful outcome of the process of implementing the agreements concluded between the Government of Burundi and PALIPEHUTU/FNL in June and September 2006 respectively, particularly the Declaration adopted by the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Great Lakes Region, held in Bujumbura on 4 December 2008, and subsequent developments, especially the change of the appellation of PALIPEHUTU/FNL and the release of political prisoners and prisoners of war, as well as the commitment by the parties to resolve all the outstanding issues before 15 February 2009 ;
WELCOMES the developments in the peace process in the East of the DRC, particularly since the conclusion of the Agreement between the Congolese and Rwandese Governments in Goma on 5 December 2008. The Assembly URGES both Governments to speed up the implementation of the Nairobi Agreement of 2007 and CALLS UPON the Congolese parties to the Goma process to scrupulously implement the Actes d’engagement emanating from that process;
STRESSES the need for continued efforts to ensure the timely and faithful implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), and COMMENDS the parties to the CPA for their commitment and spirit of cooperation. The Assembly WELCOMES the progress made during the period under review, particularly with respect to the preparation of the national elections scheduled to take place in 2009, and the implementation of the Abyei Roadmap of 8 June 2008;
EXPRESSES SERIOUS CONCERN at the deteriorating security situation in Darfur and CALLS UPON all the parties to exercise restraint so as to create propitious climate for the start of political talks. The Assembly WELCOMES the laudable efforts deployed by the United Nations and the African Union, including through the Joint Chief Mediator, Mr. Djibrill Bassole, in concert with the authorities of Qatar, within the framework of the Afro-Arab Peace Initiative, to get the parties to the conflict to sign a framework agreement together with cessation of hostilities agreement, and URGES them to participate, without delay and without preconditions, in the meeting which the Mediator plans to convene in Doha in the very near future. The Assembly WELCOMES the recommendations of the “Forum of the people of Sudan” and ENCOURAGES the Sudanese Government to pursue implementation of these recommendations so as to build trust and confidence among the parties and enhance the search for a lasting solution to the crisis in Darfur. The Assembly ALSO WELCOMES the progress achieved in the deployment of MINUAD, and EXPRESSES SATISFACTION at the Sudanese Government’s cooperation in this regard;
EXPRESSES SERIOUS CONCERN at the current tension in the relations between The Sudan and Chad and APPEALS to both countries to exercise restraint and work towards consolidation of the gains made thanks to the initiatives of the Contact Group set up in pursuance of the Dakar Agreement of March 2008. The Assembly WELCOMES the dispatch by the Chairperson of the Commission of a high-level delegation led by President Pierre Buyoya as a follow up to the decision adopted by the PSC at its 138th Meeting held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on 29 June 2008. It REQUESTS the PSC to meet as quickly as possible to consider this report and take appropriate action;
WELCOMES the holding and the outcomes of the Inclusive Political Dialogue (IPA) in the Central African Republic (CAR), ENCOURAGES the concerned parties to work together to implement the recommendations put forward by the IPD, and EXPRESSES SATISFACTION at the deployment of the Peace Consolidation Mission of the Security Council in Central Africa (MICOPAX 1) to replace the CEMAC Multinational Force (FOMUC). The Assembly WELCOMES the support rendered by the African Union towards the peace consolidation process in the CAR in close cooperation with the region, the EU, the IOF and the United Nations, and ENCOURAGES it to persevere in its efforts;
NOTES that presidential election could not be held in Cote d’Ivoire as initially planned with the consensus of all the parties and ENCOURAGES the Government of Cote d’Ivoire to expeditiously set fresh dates for the election, on the proposal of the Independent Electoral Commission, and to take all appropriate measures to ensure compliance with the dates so fixed. The Assembly WELCOMES the signing on 22 December 2008, of the 4th Supplementary Agreement to the Ouagadougou Political Agreement which helped to find a solution to the outstanding issues, notably matters relating to the defence and security forces and the effective restoration of State authority throughout the national territory;
WELCOMES the continued progress being made in the post-conflict reconstruction efforts in Liberia, and URGES the international community to continue to provide sustained efforts to Liberia. The Assembly WELCOMES the decision of the Chairperson of the Commission to dispatch a multi-disciplinary team of experts to assess the post-conflict reconstruction needs of Liberia and Sierra Leone and make recommendations on how the AU and its Member States could best support the country;
NOTES that the AU/UN Panel established to make concrete recommendations on how the UN and the AU could explore the possibility of enhancing the predictability and sustainability of financing UN-mandated peace operations undertaken by the AU, has now submitted its report. The Assembly REQUESTS the PSC to meet as early as possible to review the Report and submit its input prior to its consideration by the UN Security Council. The Assembly REQUESTS that the African Members of the UN Security Council, as well as South Africa, which led the process that resulted in the establishment of the Panel, participate fully in the proposed meeting of the PSC. The Assembly MANDATES the Africa Group in New York and the African Members of the UN Security Council to vigorously pursue this matter within the UN;
STRESSES the importance of the annual meetings between the AU Peace and Security Council and the United Nations Security Council.