PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 114TH MEETING
2008
Date | 10 March, 2008
PRESS STATEMENT
The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 114th meeting, held on 10 March 2008, was briefed by Mrs. Carolyn McAskie, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Peace-building Support, on the United Nations (UN) peace- building architecture, which is made up of the Peace-building Commission, the Peace- building Fund and the Peace-building Support Office, as well as on the efforts being deployed by the UN in post-conflict reconstruction and peace-building.
Council recalled the communiqué of its 68th meeting held on 14 December 2006 and the outcome of its 98th meeting held on 8 November 2007, relating to cooperation between the AU and the UN in peace-building and post-conflict reconstruction and Development.
Council expressed appreciation for the efforts deployed by the UN Peace- building Commission, in particular the focus that it has provided on African countries emerging from conflicts, namely Burundi, Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau.
Council encouraged the Peace-building Commission to pursue and intensify its efforts in order to effectively contribute to the consolidation of peace in Africa and the recovery of countries emerging from conflicts. In this regard, Council appealed to the United Nations to increase the resources allocated to the Peace-building Commission to enable it to effectively discharge its responsibilities.
Council reiterated the importance of the AU Policy Framework on Post-conflict Reconstruction and Development, adopted by the Executive Council in Banjul, in June 2006, and the need to accelerate its implementation. In this respect, Council stressed the need for closer cooperation between the AU and the UN and appealed to the United Nations and its relevant organs to extend the necessary support to this end.
Council also stressed the need to explore practical modalities of cooperation between the AU and the UN in peace-building, including in the exchange of information and the conduct of joint fact-finding and other peace and security related missions on conflicts in Africa at their various stages.
PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 140TH MEETING
2008
Date |29 JUNE, 2008
SHARM EL-SHEIKH (EGYPT)
COMMUNIQUE
COMMUNIQUE OF THE 140TH MEETING OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL
The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 140th meeting held on 29 June 2008, at the level of Heads of State and Government, adopted the following decision on the situation at the border between the Republic of Djibouti and the State of Eritrea and the relations between the two countries:
COUNCIL,
1. TAKES NOTE of the Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the situation at the border between the Republic of Djibouti and the State of Eritrea and the relations between the two countries [PSC/HSG/2 (CXL)];
2. STRONGLY CONDEMNS Eritrea’s military action against Djibouti in Ras Doumeira and Doumeira Island and DEMANDS that Eritrea withdraw immediately and unconditionally from the Djiboutian territories it occupies;
3. REITERATES the imperative need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Member States, as well as borders existing on achievement of independence, in conformity with the principles enshrined in the Constitutive Act of the African Union and other relevant instruments;
4. URGES the two countries, in particular Eritrea, to show restraint, resort to dialogue to resolve any bilateral dispute and give to cooperation to all efforts deployed to this effect;
5. CALLS for the immediate return to the situation prevailing at the common border between the two countries before the current tension, including the withdrawal from the border of all forces that have been positioned there since 4 February 2008;
6. WELCOMES the initiatives thus far taken by the Commission, in pursuance of Council’s decisions, with a view to facilitating the resolution of the crisis, including the dispatch of a mission to Djibouti from 5 to 9 June 2008, and EXPRESSES ITS SINCERE APPRECIATION to the Djiboutian authorities for the cooperation extended to the mission, as well as for the restraint they have shown and for their repeated commitment to dialogue in order to find a peaceful solution to the crisis;
7. EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN at the refusal by the Eritrean authorities to receive the mission of the Commission and STRONGLY URGES THEM to extend full cooperation to the efforts deployed by the AU towards the peaceful resolution of the crisis;
8. WELCOMES the United Nations Security Council Presidential Statement of 12 June 2008 and Press Statement of 24 June 2008 and the support expressed by the Security Council to the efforts of the African Union, as well as the steps that it has taken to facilitate the early resolution of the crisis between Djibouti and Eritrea; Council CALLS ON the Security Council to continue supporting the efforts of the African Union;
9. REITERATES ITS FULL SUPPORT to the initiatives deployed by the Chairperson of the Commission and REQUESTS him to pursue these efforts, including the planned dispatch of a fact finding mission to Eritrea, as soon as the Eritrean authorities accept to receive the said mission;
10. DECIDES TO REQUEST the Chairperson of the Council, to consider ways and means to assist in the implementation of this decision;
11. DECIDES to remain seized of the matter.
PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 125TH MEETING
2008
Date | 02, May 2008
Addis Ababa
PRESS STATEMENT
The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 121st and 125th meetings held respectively on 24 April and 2nd May 2008, exchanged views on the relations between the Republic of Djibouti and the State of Eritrea, following the letter sent to Council on 24 April 2008 by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Djibouti regarding the situation at the border between the two countries.
Council noted that, on 1st May 2008, the Commission formally wrote to the two countries to gather as much information as possible on the situation obtaining at their common border and the steps they may have taken to resolve this situation amicably.
Council urged both countries to show maximum restraint and to resolve whatever dispute they may have through dialogue and on the basis of the principles enshrined in the AU Constitutive Act and other relevant AU instruments, including the respect of borders existing on achievement of independence and the promotion of good neighborliness.
Council encouraged the Commission to remain in close contact with the two countries and to monitor the evolution of the situation, with the view to taking any action that would be deemed appropriate, including dispatching, in due course, a mission to assess the situation on the ground and to consult with the relevant authorities of the two countries.
PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 125TH MEETING
2008
Date |02 May, 2008
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
PRESS STATEMENT
The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 121st and 125th meetings held respectively on 24 April and 2nd May 2008, exchanged views on the relations between the Republic of Djibouti and the State of Eritrea, following the letter sent to Council on 24 April 2008 by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Djibouti regarding the situation at the border between the two countries.
Council noted that, on 1st May 2008, the Commission formally wrote to the two countries to gather as much information as possible on the situation obtaining at their common border and the steps they may have taken to resolve this situation amicably.
Council urged both countries to show maximum restraint and to resolve whatever dispute they may have through dialogue and on the basis of the principles enshrined in the AU Constitutive Act and other relevant AU instruments, including the respect of borders existing on achievement of independence and the promotion of good neighborliness.
Council encouraged the Commission to remain in close contact with the two countries and to monitor the evolution of the situation, with the view to taking any action that would be deemed appropriate, including dispatching, in due course, a mission to assess the situation on the ground and to consult with the relevant authorities of the two countries.
PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 119TH MEETING
2008
Date | 11, April 2008
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
COMMUNIQUE OF THE 119TH MEETING OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL
At its 119th meeting held on 11 April 2008, the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU) adopted the following decision on the Report of the Fact-Finding Mission on Migrations of Mbororo Nomadic Pastoralists, dispatched to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Central African Republic (CAR), the Sudan and Cameroon, pursuant to decision PSC/PR/Comm.(XCVII) of the 97th meeting of the Council held on 25 October 2007:
Council,
1. Takes note of the Report of the Fact-Finding Mission on Migrations of Mbororo Nomadic Pastoralists [(PSC/PR/2 (CXIX)], as well as the statements made by the representatives of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of the Sudan and the Republic of Cameroon;
2. Expresses satisfaction at the smooth conduct of the Fact-Finding Mission and expresses gratitude to the political, administrative and other authorities of the countries visited, as well as the United Nations Agencies, non-governmental organizations and other bodies met by the Mission, for the assistance and cooperation extended to it;
3. Recognizes the complex nature of the problems linked to the phenomenon of trans-border migrations of Mbororo nomad populations, and underscores the need for a concerted regional approach, taking into account all the dimensions of the issue, with a view to finding an appropriate solution;
4. Takes note of the recommendations of the Fact-Finding Mission as contained in its report. In this respect, Council fully supports the convening of a meeting of the countries concerned, with the participation of the various stakeholders as soon as possible and under the aegis of the AU, in order to promote a concerted and regional approach;
5. Requests the Commission, within the framework of the AU Border Programme, in collaboration with the Regional Economic Communities, to facilitate the elaboration of cooperation projects between member States for the management of cross-border migratory movements, in particular nomadic pastoralists;
6. Also requests the Chairperson of the Commission to continue to monitor the evolution of the situation, including sending periodic fact-finding missions to the countries concerned and to keep the Council regularly informed;
7. Decides to remain seized of the matter.
PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 113TH MEETING
2008
Date | 28, February 2008
Addis Ababa
PRESS STATEMENT
The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 113th meeting, held on 28 February 2008, was briefed on the situation in Kenya, in light of the progress made in the negotiations aimed at resolving the post-electoral crisis in the country.
Council welcomed the signing in Nairobi, on 28 February 2008, by President Mwai Kibaki and Honorable Raila Odinga of an Agreement on the Principles of Partnership of the Coalition Government, witnessed by the current AU Chairman, President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, and Mr. Kofi Annan, Chairman of the Panel of Eminent African Personalities.
Council expressed appreciation to President Kikwete, for his role, and paid tribute to Mr. Kofi Annan and the members of the Panel of Eminent African Personalities for their sustained efforts, in assisting the Kenyan parties to reach this important agreement.
Council encouraged the parties to fully implement the Agreement, including the enactment of the National Accord and Reconciliation Act 2008, and carry on with the urgent task of addressing the long term issues and creating conditions for lasting peace and stability in Kenya.
Council stressed the need for the international community to continue to support the ongoing efforts and render all assistance needed for the promotion of lasting peace and stability in Kenya.
PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 109TH MEETING
2008
Date |29 JUNE, 2008
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
PRESS STATEMENT
The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 109th meeting, held on 21 January 2008, was briefed on the situation in Kenya, in light of the tension and violence that erupted in that country following the presidential election of 27 December 2007.
Council expressed deep concern at the prevailing situation and its humanitarian consequences, as well as at its implications for peace and stability in Kenya and the region as a whole. Council strongly deplored the loss of lives, condemned the gross violations of human rights that occurred in the past weeks and called for an in-depth investigation into those violations with a view to identifying those responsible and bringing them to justice.
Council called on all the parties to exercise restraint, refrain from acts of violence and from any other act that could further complicate the situation, as well as prevail on their supporters to put an immediate end to the violence. Council strongly urged the parties to commit themselves to a peaceful solution to the current crisis through dialogue.
Council welcomed the visit undertaken by the current Chairman of the African Union, President John Kufuor, to Nairobi, from 8 to 10 January 2008, with a view to assisting in defusing the tension, bringing an end to the violence in the country, and facilitating the efforts aimed at finding a solution to the post-election dispute. Council also welcomed the efforts deployed by President Yoweri Museveni, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the East African Community (EAC), and by other leaders of the region. Council looks forward to the planned visit to Kenya of the Chairperson of the EAC, aimed at promoting an early and peaceful solution to the crisis. Council expressed appreciation for the contribution made by other leaders and organizations, in support of the AU efforts.
Council stressed the need for the parties to extend full cooperation to the mediation efforts to be undertaken by the group of eminent African elders led by Mr. Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, and established as a follow-up to the visit of the current Chairperson of the AU. Council welcomed the disposition expressed by the parties in this respect.
Council requested the Commission to closely follow developments in Kenya and to report to it, as soon as possible, on the situation in the country and the evolution of the mediation efforts.
Finally, Council stressed the need to initiate a collective reflection on the challenges linked to the tension and disputes that often characterize electoral processes in Africa, including the strengthening of the African capacity at national, regional and continental levels to observe and monitor elections.