Communiqué: The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 255th meeting, held on 23 December 2010, adopted the following decision on the situation in Central African Republic (CAR)

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PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 255^th MEETING

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA 23 DECEMBER 2010

PSC/PR/COMM.(CCLV)

COMMUNIQUE

The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 255^th meeting, held on 23 December 2010, adopted the following decision on the situation in Central African Republic (CAR):

Council,

1. Takes note of the Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the situation in CAR [PSC/PR/2. (CCLV)] and the statement made by the Special Representative and Head of the AU Liaison Office in CAR, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Head of the UN Integrated Office in CAR (BINUCA), the representative of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the representative of the European Union, as well as by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and La Francophonie of the Central African Republic;

2. Recalls its previous communiques on the situation in CAR, in particular communique PSC/PR/Comm.(CCXV) adopted at its 215^th meeting, held on 8 January 2010. Council also recalls the relevant provisions of decision Assembly/AU/Dec.294(XV) adopted by the 15^th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union, held in Kampala, Uganda, from 25 to 27 July 2010;

3. Welcomes the commitment of the various political and social actors in CAR to implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in Libreville on 21 June 2008 and the recommendations of the Inclusive Political Dialogue (IPD) held in December 2008;

4. Welcomes the progress made in the electoral process, in particular the consensual adoption of an election timetable, as well as the pursuit by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of the preparations for the upcoming elections scheduled for 23 January 2011. In this respect, Council urges all political stakeholders in CAR to ensure respect for institutions and their proper functioning and to promote national interest, dialogue and consensus, in order to create conditions conducive to the holding of the presidential and legislative elections, in a free, transparent and credible manner;

5. Emphasizes the need for all stakeholders to work actively towards the early completion of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) programme and to develop a strategy for the reintegration of former combatants, to create conditions for lasting peace on the whole territory of the CAR. To this end, Council strongly urges the Member States in a position to do so, including the neighboring countries, to provide adequate support to the DDR process, including its integration into the wider security sector reform, as well as to the strengthening of of the capacity of the CAR defense and security forces and, more generally, to the promotion of peace and security in that country. Council requests the Commission, in coordination with the relevant CAR authorities, to take all the steps required for the timely mobilization of the necessary support from Member States and from partners of the AU;

6. Expresses its deep concern at the continuing armed attacks by politico-military movements not parties to the peace process. Council strongly condemns these attacks and demands that all armed groups non-signatories to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of Libreville, in particular the Convention of the Patriots for Justice and Peace (CPJP), join the peace process, uphold dialogue and resolutely engage in the DDR programme;

7. Expresses, once again, its concern at the prevailing humanitarian situation in CAR, notably marked by the massive displacement of civilian populations, as a result of the criminal attacks perpetrated by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). Council strongly condemns these attacks and calls on the Commission to accelerate the ongoing efforts for the implementation of measures agreed upon by the Regional Ministerial Meeting on the LRA, held in Bangui on 13 and 14 October 2010. Council also requests the Commission to take necessary steps to enlist the support of AU bilateral and multilateral partners to implement the Conclusions of the Bangui meeting;

8. Recalls the primary responsibility of the Government of CAR for the protection of civilians and respect for human rights and principles of the rule of law;

9. Expresses its gratitude to the countries of the region, ECCAS and to the Economic and Monetary Community of Central African States (CEMAC), as well as to the United Nations, the European Union (EU), the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) and to the other bilateral and multilateral partners, for their support and multifaceted assistance to CAR. Council urges the AU partners to continue and intensify their support to CAR, including the required assistance for the electoral process, socio-economic recovery, as well as the promotion of security and the strengthening of State authority. In this respect, Council stresses the imperative need to strengthen the capacity of the CAR armed forces, and urgently appeals to all AU partners to respond positively to the call for assistance made by the CAR Government;

10. Welcomes the activities undertaken by the Commission in CAR and encourages it to continue and intensify its efforts in conjunction with all partners, including electoral assistance, reform of the security sector, capacity building and post-conflict reconstruction. In this regard, Council welcomes the close coordination and cooperation that exists on the ground between the AU Liaison Office, under the leadership of Mrs. Hawa Ahmed Youssouf, BINUCA, under the leadership of Mrs. Sahle-Work Zewde, and ECCAS, and encourages them to pursue and intensify this collaboration in support of peace building in CAR;

11. Decides to remain seized of the matter.