MAURITANIA

STATEMENT

The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 36th Meeting, held on 4 August 2005, reviewed the situation in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania in light of the coup d’Etat that took place in that country on 3 August 2005.

Council recalls the decisions on Unconstitutional Changes of Government, adopted by the 35th ordinary of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the OAU, held in Algiers, from 12 to 14 July 1999, and the Declaration on Unconstitutional Changes of Government adopted by the 36th ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the OAU, held in Lomé, from 10 to 12 July 2000, as well as the relevant principles of the Constitutive Act of the African Union.

Council firmly condemns the coup d’Etat in Mauritania on 3 August 2005 and demands a prompt restoration of constitutional order. Council welcomes the condemnation made by members of the international community.

In conformity with the Lomé Declaration and Article 30 of the AU Constitutive Act, Council decides to suspend Mauritania’s participation in AU activities until the restoration of constitutional order in the country.

Council further decides to dispatch a Ministerial delegation to Mauritania, in order to reiterate the AU’s position to the perpetrators of the coup d’Etat and to engage them on the modalities for a speedy restoration of constitutional order in the country. Council appeals to the members of the international community to lend their full support to the efforts aimed at restoring constitutional order in Mauritania.