The 848th meeting of the Peace and Security Council of the AU on the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR)

AFRICAN UNION

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, P.O. Box: 3243 Tel.: (251-11) 551 7700 Fax: (251-11) 5519 321 Email: situationroom@africa-union.org

PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 848™ MEETING

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

9 MAY 2019

PSC/PR/COMM.l(DCCCXLVIII)

COMMUNIQUE

COMMUNIQUE

Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 848^th meeting held on 9 May 2019 on the Report of the Chairperson of the AU Commission on the 5^th AU-United Nations (UN) Joint Review of the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and renewal of the mandate of AMISOM

The Peace and Security Council,

Taking note of the Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the AU-UN Joint Review of AMISOM, as well as statements made by H.E Ambassador Hope Tumukunde Gasatura, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Rwanda and Chairperson of the PSC for the month of May 2019; Dr Admore Kambudzi, Ag. Director for Peace and Security Department on behalf of H.E. Ambassador Smail Chergui, AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, and H.E. Ambassador Francisco Madeira, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission for Somalia and Head of AMISOM; Also noting the statement by the Representatives of Somalia, Ethiopia, in its capacity as the Chair of IGAD, Equatorial Guinea, as member of the A3, as well as the United Nations and European Union;

Recalling its previous decisions and pronouncements on the situation in Somalia and AMISOM, particularly Communique [PSC/PR/COMM. (DCCCXXVII)], adopted at its 827^th meeting held on 13 February 2019; Communique [PSC/PR/COMM. (DCCCVI)] adopted at its 806^th meeting held on 07 November 2018; Communique [PSC/MIN/COMM.3 (DCCLXXXII)], adopted at its 782^nd meeting held on 27 June 2018; Communique [PSC/PR/COMM. (DCCLXIX)], adopted at its 769^th meeting held on 30 April 2018; and Communique [PSC/PR/COMM. (DCCLIII)], adopted at its 753^rd meeting held on 15 February 2018;

Acknowledging the significant progress made to secure peace and stability in Somalia, while noting the fragility of the gains made so far in the political and security situation;

Underlining the imperative for Somalis to reach consensus on national reconciliation, a final constitution on the nature of a Federal Somalia, comprehensive implementation of the National Security Architecture;

Also noting the continued tensions around regional elections and acceptance of the federal elections model, as well as the risks that external interference presents to the current momentum and progress achieved;

Commending the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) for its continued commitment to the transition, the recent steps taken to enhance the administration and management of the Somali National Security Forces (SNSF); welcoming the commencement of political dialogue and reconciliation process between the FGS and the Federal Member States (FMS), through the convening of a meeting in Garowe, Puntland, which started on 4 May 2019; also urging the FGS and FMS to ensure realization of an implementable political agreement that will guarantee inclusive politics and facilitate finalization of the federal constitution that will clarify the devolution of responsibilities, implementation of the National Security Architecture (NSA), as well as involvement of the FMS in the planning and implementation of critical elections processes to guarantee a successful election in 2020/2021 and transition process;

Further commending the AU Commission for the successful conduct of the AU-UN Joint Review of AMISOM, the FGS, the UN, Troop and Police Contributing Countries (T/PCCs) as well as bilateral partners for their continued commitment and cooperation extended to the Joint Review Team;

Welcoming the findings, observations and recommendations of the 5^th AU-UN Joint Review of AMISOM, particularly issues relating to the progress achieved so far, on the implementation of the Somalia Transition Plan (STP), including the challenges relating to the differences between the FGS and FMS, limited capacity of the Federal Government and coordination between the federal level and the regional administrations with regard to the implementation of the NSA and the planning for national elections;

Commending AMISOM and the SNSF for the recent operations that led to the liberation of some locations from Al Shabaab, especially in Lower Shabelle and Juba Valley, the Police deployment in Kismayo, including their training and mentoring activities in the FMS, the expansion of AMISOM civilian component to cover all AMISOM sectors and their efforts in supporting broader stabilization, including increased community engagement, technical capacity building support to the National Independent Election Commission (NIEC) on elections processes, enhancement of human rights and humanitarian compliance and implementation of community-led quick impact and peace strengthening projects (QIPs/PSPs);

Also commending the continuous progress and immense contribution of AMISOM police component in the provision of training, mentoring and advisory support in building effective federal and regional police capacity; Further commending AMISOM military for the handover of the Mogadishu Stadium and the Jalle Siyad Military Academy in Mogadishu to the Federal Government and security services, including joint planning with the Somali National Army to capture and secure Leego and the Mogadishu-Baidoa, and Baidoa-Leego Main Supply Routes, in line with the objectives of the Transition Plan; and

Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council:

1. Pays tribute to the AMISOM Troop and Police Contributing Countries (T/PCCs), especially those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of peace, security, stability and reconciliation in Somalia;

2. Reiterates its gratitude to the UN, the EU and other bilateral partners for their continued support to AMISOM efforts to promote a multidimensional and comprehensive approach in supporting the efforts of the Federal Government (FGS) and Federal Member States (FMS) of Somalia in the implementation of the Somalia Transition Plan (STP), including in degrading the Al Shabaab terrorists group, as well as UN, EU and other partners financial and material support to AMISOM and the Federal Government of Somalia;

3. Reaffirms its endorsement of the STP, its implementation and support to the FGS and appeals to the FGS and all Somali stakeholders to fully commit themselves towards the effective implementation of the STP, which forms the basis for channeling collective efforts to make progress towards the taking-over of primary security responsibilities by the FGS.

4. Reiterates that successful implementation of the STP is dependent on resolution of the differences between the FGS and FMS and political progress underpinned by good relations required to overcome the challenge facing the implementation of the National Security Architecture (NSA), including force generation, as well as agreements on immediate practical approaches to utilize the Regional Forces identified during the Operational Readiness Assessment (ORA) of Regional Forces, as part of the NSA;

5. Express deep concern over Al-Shabaab's continued ability to carry out attacks against innocent civilians, Somali security forces and AMISOM and the presence of Deash in Somalia, which further exacerbates insecurity in Somalia;

6. Endorses the recommendations in the Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the situation in Somalia and on the 5^th AU-UN Joint Review of AMISOM, and :

1. Requests the AU Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) to authorize the Commission to fill the outstanding approved AMISOM vacant staff positions, including civilians, in order to facilitate the expansion of the civilian component across all AMISOM sectors and sector headquarters to enhance cross-Mission representation and multidimensional coordination support to the domestication of the Transition Plan in the Federal Member States, facilitate humanitarian assistance and human rights compliance, community engagement and confidence building, as well as support quick impact and peace strengthening projects (QIPs/PSPs) in local communities; and requests the UN Security Council to authorize support to AMISOM's efforts by increasing UN logistics support to an additional 50 substantive civilian personnel who will focus on supporting the domestication of the Transition Plan in the Federal Member States.

2. Notes that the security threat level in Somalia still remains high and that the lack of progress in the implementation of the STP, particularly the slow pace of generating capable Somalia Security Forces (SSF) will create critical security risks for the successful planning and conduct of elections in 2020/2021;

3. Takes note of the two options presented by the Joint Review on the AMISOM Uniformed Personnel strength and levels, and underlines the need for AMISOM to be ready to contribute in securing the conduct of the elections scheduled for 2020/2021;

4. Underscores the imperative of expediting the generation of outstanding force enablers and multipliers, in particular, air assets to enhance mobility, resupply, rapid reaction, quick attack combat capability and the implementation of other mandated tasks, as well as the deployment of outstanding Mission Enabling Units and counter- Improvised Explosive Ordinances (IED) capabilities, and Unarmed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs/UAS) needed to enhance AMISOM's support and protection in clearing priority Main Supply Routes;

7. Reiterates AMISOM's significant contribution in support of the political and stabilization processes in Somalia, and calls on the UN, consistent with the framework of the "Joint UN-AU Framework for Enhancing Partnership on Peace and Security" based on comparative advantages and complementarity for the revitalization of the tripartite MoU between the AU, IGAD and the UN through the immediate operationalization of appropriate coordination mechanism, in order to immediately commence facilitation of joint strategic agreements and initiatives;

8. Stresses the need for the enhancement of the capacity of the United Nations Support Office to Somalia (UNSOS), in line with AMISOM's reconfiguration and mandated tasks, requests the review of the AMISOM support concept to address existing gaps and to enhance AMISOM's role in support to the implementation of the STP;

9. Reiterates the importance of continued presence of AMISOM in Somalia, as well as the need for predictable and sustainable funding for the Mission, and in this regard, expresses deep appreciation to the UN, EU and other international partners for their continued funding for AMISOM;

10. Decides to renew the mandate of AMISOM for another 12 months until T1 Mey 2020, to support implementation of the STP, in line with the objectives of the 2018-2021 AMISOM CONOPs and the Exit Strategy and for AMISOM to maintain its current tasks, including the four tasks highlighted in the 700^th and 782^nd communiques of the PSC, including the tasks outlined in Phase 1 and 2 of the STP, as well as to:

1. consolidate and enhance the substantive functions of the civilian component and in expanding their political and stabilization roles in all AMISOM sectors, including ensuring International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and human rights compliance and accountability of AMISOM, whilst supporting SNSF to enhance same;

2. continue AMISOM's police progressive training, mentoring and advising of the Somali federal and regional Police, including Darwish forces required to successfully implement the STP;

3. continue enhancing joint planning and operations with the SSF to degrade Al Shabab and other armed opposition groups to guarantee security and stability across Somalia;

4. provide technical support to the FGS and FMS, including through the National Interim Electoral Commission, in ensuring effective planning, conduct and security for the 2020/2021 elections;

11. Requests the Commission to work closely with the UN to monitor implementation of this communique and to ensure timely quarterly reports to the PSC on the situation in Somalia; undertake a Joint AU-UN Assessment of required equipment not later than July 2019, as well as to also undertake the 6^th AU-UN Joint Review of AMISOM's multidimensional capacities and capabilities, before the expiration of the new mandate, in order to ascertain progress achieved in the implementation of the mandated tasks and make recommendations on the way forward;

12. Also requests the Chairperson of the Commission to transmit this Communique to the African Members of the UN Security Council (A3), as well as to the Secretary-General of the United Nations for incorporation into his letter to the UN Security Council on the renewal of AMISOM's mandate and as a working document for the members of the UN Security Council;

13. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.