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.

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.