AU Peace and Security Council on the situation in CAR

meeting held on 17 June 2009, considered the situation in Central African Republic

(CAR) and adopted the following decision:

Council,

1. Takes note of the Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the situation

in CAR [PSC/PR/2(CXCV)] and statements made by the Special Envoy of the

Chairperson of the Commission for CAR, representatives of the United Nations, the

Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the European Union (EU) and

the International Organization of la Francophonie (OIF);

2. Recalls its previous communiqués on the situation in CAR, in particular, the

communiqué PSC/PR/Comm.(CXXX) adopted at its 130th meeting held on 29 May

2008;

3. Notes with satisfaction the progress and outcome of the inclusive political

dialogue (DPI) held in Bangui from 8 to 20 December 2008, and the measures taken to

implement recommendations there from, including the establishment on 19 January

2009, of an inclusive Government open to representatives of the political and armed

opposition, the establishment of the Follow-up Committee on the recommendations of

the Dialogue, the High Court of Justice and the Ad Hoc Committee responsible for

reviewing the electoral code, as well as the adoption of the military programming act for

the period 2009-2013. Council urges all concerned parties to continue to demonstrate

the required political commitment with the view to implement, within the timeframe

agreed upon, of the recommendations of the DPI. Council calls upon Member States,

as well as the International community to provide the necessary financial and technical

assistance aimed at enabling the DPI Follow-up Committee to discharge its mandate;

4. Pays tribute to the leaders of the Central African region, in particular late

President El-Haj Omar Bongo Ondimba, for their support to the efforts to consolidate

peace, security and stability in CAR. Council welcomes the deployment of the mission

for the consolidation of peace of CEEAC (MICOPAX) and the remarkable work done on

the ground and encourages CEEAC to take all necessary measures, as recommended

by the joint mission of the AU/EU to CAR and to Libreville with the Secretariat of

ECCAS, from 23 to 30 April 2009, to enhance the effectiveness of MICOPAX

5. Commends the Chairperson of the Commission for his efforts to date, including

through his Special Envoy for RCA, Sadok Fayala, to support the stabilization process

in CAR in close cooperation with countries of the region and the international partners of CAR;

6. Commends also the international partners of CAR, especially the United Nations

through BONUCA, the European Union (EU), the International Organization of la

Francophonie (OIF) and International financial institutions, for their multidimensional

support to the stabilization and economic recovery process of the Central African

Republic;

7. Takes note of the measures taken by the Central African Government with a

view to improving security and strengthening State authority throughout the territory,

and welcomes the return in Bangui of the leader of the Movement of Central African

Liberators for Justice (MLCJ), as well as the contacts between the Government of CAR

and the leadership of the Central African People’s Democratic Front (FDPC);

8. Expresses its grave concern at the upsurge in armed attacks, acts of banditry

and clashes between communities in some parts of the country, as well as over the

increasing political and military groups, strongly condemns the attacks perpetrated by

armed groups and demands that they put an immediate end to these attacks and join

the political process to consolidate peace and stability in CAR.

9. Further expresses its grave concern at the continuous deterioration of the

humanitarian situation in CAR and calls upon Member States and International

community to provide the necessary humanitarian assistance to displaced people and

refugees in neighboring countries;

10. Stresses the need to mobilize all required efforts with a view to implement the

DDR programme and security sector reform. In this regard, Council calls on Member

States and other international partners to provide the necessary support to this end,

including restructuring, training and capacity building for the security and defense forces

of the Central African Republic;

11. Urges all development partners, including international financial institutions to

provide increased assistance to the CAR in order to facilitate the efforts made by the

Central African Government regarding programs of reform and economic recovery and

adapt their assistance to the particular situation of the RCA;

12. Encourages the Chairperson of the Commission to strengthen the contribution

of the AU in this process, including the mobilization of the Member States and the

international community for increased assistance and one that is better suited to CAR,

the continued involvement in the implementation of the recommendations of the DPI, in

particular assistance and electoral monitoring, for the proper conduct of elections

scheduled for April 2010;

13. Decides to remain seized of the situation.