Communique: 567th PSC meeting on the Boko Haram terrorist group

AFRICAN UNION

UNIAO AFRICANA

P. O. Box 3243, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Tel.: (251-11) 551 38 22 Fax: (251-11) 519321

Email: situationroom@africa-union_:o£g

PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 567™ MEETING

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

14 JANUARY 2016

PSC/PR/COMM.(DLXVII)

COMMUNIQUE

The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 567^th meeting held on 14 January 2015, adopted the following decision on regional and international efforts to combat the Boko Haram terrorist group and on the way forward:

Council:

1. Takes note of the briefing provided by the Commission on regional and international efforts to combat the Boko Haram terrorist group and the way forward, and the statements made by Nigeria, Chad and Uganda, as well as the European Union (EU);

2. Recalls its earlier decisions on the activities of Boko Haram and the efforts aimed at neutralizing this terrorist group, particularly communique PSC/AHG/COMM.2(CDLXXXIV) authorizing the deployment of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF). Council also recalls its earlier pronouncements on the Boko Haram terrorist group, including press statements PSC/PR/BR(DXVIII) and PSC/PR/BR.2(DLX) adopted at its 518^th meeting, held on 25 June 2015 and 560^th meeting held on 26 November 2015, respectively;

3. Reiterates AU's strong condemnation of the sporadic and isolated attacks by Boko Haram, on against of innocent civilians, and disturbing use these terrorist group, of children by the terrorist group as suicide bombers. In this respect, Council notes with deep concern the most recent suicide bombing attack that took place at a mosque at Kouyape, in the northern region of Cameroon, on 13 January 2016, resulting in loss of lives. Council also notes with deep concern the prevailing humanitarian situation in the region, particularly as the Boko Haram violence has displaced close to 2.2 million people, restricted movement, disrupted food supply and severely hindered access to basic services, and limiting agricultural activities. In this respect, Council stresses the urgent need to expeditiously handle the dire humanitarian situation in order to adequately cater for internally displaced persons and refugees;

4. Welcomes, once again, the tremendous progress made by the Member States of the Lake Chad Basin and Benin in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorist group, which has resulted in degrading the capacity of the group and commends their resolve and sustained efforts to fully operationalize the MNJTF, with a view to eliminate the terrorist group;

5. Renews AU's solidarity with the Governments and people of Nigeria and those of the other countries directly affected by the activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group and calls for stronger international cooperation and support to the efforts to prevent and combat terrorism, in line with the relevant Africa and international instruments;

6. Further notes with gratitude the support provided by international partners to the ongoing efforts of the MNJTF to eradicate Boko Haram. In this regard, Council reiterates its appreciation to the EU, United Kingdom, France and the United States of America for their unrelenting support. Council further reiterates its appeal to the partners to strengthen their support to the MNJTF and, in this respect, welcomes the efforts being deployed by the Commission, notably the planning for the Donor's Conference, scheduled for 1 February 2016, in Addis Ababa, to mobilize additional resources, including finance, logistics, equipment, and other essential material for the MNJTF;

7. Notes with concern the continued threat posed by the Boko Haram terrorist group and stresses the imperative of sustained military operations by the MNJTF to completely eliminate this group. Council decides to renew the mandate of the MNJTF for another period of twelve (12) months, from the date of the adoption of this communique;

8. Request the Commission, with the support of the LCBC Secretariat, to regularly update Council, in line with the reporting requirements contained in communique PSC/AHG/COM.2(CDLXXXIV) of 29 January 2015;

9. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.