Communique: The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 230th meeting held on 27 and 31 May 2010, considered the Report of the Multidisciplinary Mission for the Evaluation of Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development Needs

COMMUNIQUE

The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 230^th meeting held on 27 and 31 May 2010, considered the Report of the Multidisciplinary Mission for the Evaluation of Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development Needs, which visited the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from 21 January to 13 February 2010, and Burundi from 13 to 22 February 2010 [PSC/PR/2 (CCXXX)], within the framework of the implementation of the decisions of the 163^rd and 199^th meetings of the PSC, held on 22 December 2008 and 17 August 2009, respectively, and the Plan of Action of the Special Session of the Union on the review and resolution of conflicts in Africa, held in Tripoli, on 31 August 2009.

The Commissioner for Peace and Security, as well as the Representatives of the Chairperson of the Commission for the DRC and Burundi attended the meeting.

The meeting received briefings from Mr. Soumana Sakho, Head of the Multidisciplinary Mission, the Special Representatives of the Chairperson of the Commission in the DRC and Burundi, the Permanent Representatives of the DRC and Burundi and the representatives of the United Nations (UN Mission in DRC - MONUC and UN Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB)), the European Union (EU) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

Council,

1. Takes note of the Report of the Multidisciplinary Mission for the Evaluation of Post­Conflict Reconstruction and Development Needs [PSC/PR/2 (CCXXX)];

2. Commends the Head and members of the Multidisciplinary Mission, including the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), for the quality and richness of the report and expresses its appreciation of the relevance of the recommendations. Council further expresses its appreciation to the Governments of Burundi and the DRC for the facilities that they provided for the smooth conduct of the mission, and to all other national stakeholders, including civil society organizations. Council also expresses its appreciation to the Executive Secretariat of the International Conference of the Economic Community of the Great Lakes (CEPGL) and all members of the international community that were consulted by the Mission, including MONUC, which provided crucial logistical support, the UN Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB), the various agencies of the UN system, the European Union and bilateral partners;

3. Further commends the visits undertaken by the Chairperson of the Commission to the DRC and by the Commissioner for Peace and Security to Burundi and DRC, as well as the holding of a Seminar, in Kinshasa, on Women and Children in Armed Conflicts and the 8^th meeting of the Panel of the Wise;

4. Expresses appreciation for the contributions made by the AU Commission to the consultations on the adjustment of the mandate, functions and deployment of MONUC. In this respect, Council welcomes the resolution adopted on 28 May 2010, by the United Nations Security Council;

5. Urges the Governments of Burundi and DRC to take ownership of the recommendations contained in the Report, with particular attention to issues related to governance, economic development, reform of security and justice sectors and promotion of human rights, as well as gender, in order to consolidate the significant gains made by Burundi and the DRC in the consolidation of peace and post-conflict reconstruction. Council urges Burundi and the DRC to make every effort to ensure the success of the electoral process to be organized in both countries;

6. Further urges Member States and international partners to provide all necessary support to Burundi and the DRC, in order to facilitate the process of post-conflict reconstruction and development, as well as post-conflict peace building in both countries;

7. Requests the Commission, on the basis of consultations with the authorities of Burundi

and the DRC and their priorities, to take all necessary measures to ensure the monitoring and implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Multidisciplinary Mission, in particular through:

1. the organization, by the end of 2010, of a Conference of African solidarity, as envisaged by the Plan of Action of the Special Session of Tripoli, to give the opportunity for Member States to show their solidarity with Burundi and the DRC, within the Framework of the AU policy on post-conflict reconstruction and development;

2. intensifying advocacy efforts towards bilateral partners, international financial institutions, including the ADB, IMF and the World Bank and other stakeholders, to engage them to contribute more to the efforts for the consolidation of peace and post-conflict reconstruction and development in Burundi and the DRC.

8. Decides to establish a Sub-Committee of Council to undertake the following:

1. elaborate and put in place, in collaboration with the relevant regional economic communities and in consultation with ECA, ADB and other multilateral partners, a support program for governance, reconstruction and consolidation of peace, based on mobilizing African expertise and focus on the long term. This programme will be the subject of consultations with the Governments of Burundi and DRC;

2. undertake appropriate consultations with bilateral and multilateral partners, including the EU, World Bank, IMF and the UN Peace Building Commission, with a view to implementing the recommendations of the Multidisciplinary Mission.

8. Requests the Commission to report regularly on progress in the implementation of the recommendations of the Multidisciplinary Mission;

9. Decides to remain seized of the matter.