1. The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU) and the Political and Security Committee (PSC) of the European Union (EU) held their 2nd Joint Consultative Meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 12 October 2009. The meeting was co-chaired by Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo, Permanent Representative of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairperson of the AU PSC for October 2009, and Ambassador Olof Skoog of Sweden, representing the country holding the Presidency of the EU for the second half of 2009 and also presiding over the EU PSC during the period.
2. Recalling the Africa-EU Strategic Partnership in the area of peace and security, and the need to strengthen political dialogue, the meeting discussed the following related issues:
Unconstitutional Changes of Government
3. The AU and EU sides reiterated their concern about the growing phenomenon of unconstitutional changes of government in Africa and agreed to explore more ways to work together, particularly, in the context of the different International Contact Groups and the legal framework of the OAU/AU Lome
Declaration of 2000 and Cotonou Agreement. They noted the resolve of the AU Heads of State and Government through their decision at the 13th ordinary session of the Assembly of the African Union, held in Sirte, Libya, in July 2009, to strengthen AU mechanisms against unconstitutional changes of government and
agreed to explore means to support each other. Both sides also highlighted the importance of the ratification of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.
4. Specifically, both sides agreed to collaborate on actions relating to thefollowing subsisting cases:
a. Encouraging the new leadership in Mauritania to follow through with the outcome of the Dakar Framework Agreement which calls for the pursuit of inclusive dialogue;
b. Condemning the recent killings in Guinea and calling on its Government to undertake immediate investigations as well as steps to avert further incidents. Work to encourage the decision by the AU PSC to take effective actions against the de facto authorities in Guinea for failure to comply with relevant AU and ECOWAS decisions on non-participation of CNDD members and the Prime Minister in the forthcoming elections. Both sides
agreed to work closely together within the International Contact Group;
c. Urge the de facto leadership in Madagascar to fully respect the Maputo Agreements and proceed with the implementation of the recent decisions taken by the ICG meeting on 6 0ctober 2009.
Strengthening of capacities for the management and resolution of crises
5. The AU and EU PSCs noted the important progress in the
operationalisation of the African Peace and Security Architecture with the support of the EU, and agreed to work closely to improve implementation in this area. In this respect both sides underlined the need for further steps to be taken, including harmonization between the AU the RECs and the strengthening of the capacity of
the AUC to manage its operations and partner contributions.
Prevention, management and resolution of disputes and tensions arising from elections in Africa
6. Both sides acknowledged the role played by both the EU and AU in monitoring and supporting democratic processes. They underlined the role of the Panel of Wise in election related conflicts in Africa. They agreed on the importance of electoral observation and welcomed the ongoing cooperation in this area. The AU and the EU also discussed further ways to collaborate within the framework of the decision of Heads of States and Governments (Assembly/AU/Dec.254) of the 13th ordinary session of the Assembly on the report of the Panel of the Wise.
Conflict Situations
7. Both sides agreed to work together to:
• Improve the situation in Somalia, through renewed cooperation on AMISOM, support the TFG and explore further programmes to address the humanitarian situation in Somalia. It further noted the need for a comprehensive approach, including an inclusive dialogue in Somalia within the framework of the Djibouti process, the addressing of supply sources for insurgents and anti-piracy efforts. In the discussions, the issues of the root causes of piracy, the need for security sector reform and regional maritime capabilities were raised. The African side raised its position on ransom payments in a wider context;
• Promote peace, reconciliation and justice in Sudan. In this respect they welcomed renewed efforts by the AU on Sudan, in particular through the AU High Level Panel for Darfur, whose report is to be presented to the AU PSC at Summit level later in October 2009.
• Find ways to facilitate the full implementation of the CPA and to give support to the peace process, including towards the objective of free and fair elections in 2010 and Southern Sudan referendum of 2011.
Experiences and lessons from conflicts in Europe
8. The two sides noted the importance to draw concrete lessons from crisis management experiences. They welcomed the AU and the EU intention to organize joint assessment missions in post-conflict areas in Europe.
Coordination within the framework of the United Nations
9. Both sides agreed on the importance of close collaboration within the framework of the United Nations. They agreed to work together towards more predictable and sustainable funding of AU-led peace-support missions, notably in the context of the Prodi Panel report and the subsequent UNSG’s report.
10. They agreed to meet again in Brussels in 2010.