The Assembly:

1. WELCOMES the entry into force of the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council (PSC), on 26 December 2003;

2. APPROVES the measures taken by the Executive Council to operationalize the Peace and Security Council;

3. CONGRATULATES the Fifteen Members of the PSC, elected by the Executive Council at its Fourth Ordinary Session, held in Addis Ababa, from 15 to 16 March 2004;

4. TAKES NOTE of the activities undertaken by the PSC, between March and June, and URGES all its members to strengthen their capacities to shoulder the responsibilities of their membership;

5. REQUESTS the Chairperson of the Commission to take the necessary measures to operationalize all aspects of the Protocol including in particular the Panel of the Wise, the Continental Early Warning System, the African Standby Force and the Military Staff Committee, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in the areas of peace and security, and to report to the 6th session of the Executive Council and the Fourth Ordinary Session of the Assembly on the progress made in this direction;

6. URGED Member States, which have not yet done so to sign and ratify the Protocol as soon as possible.