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Communiqué of the 64th African Union Peace and Security
Council Meeting The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union,
at its 64th meeting held on 17 October 2006, at the level of Heads of State and
Government adopted the following decision on the situation in Côte d'Ivoire.
The council, 1. Recalls decision PSC/AHG/COMM(XL) adopted at its
40th meeting held on 6 October 2005, which stipulates that the arrangements agreed
upon in the Linas Marcoussis Agreement of 23 January 2003 shall continue from
31 August 2005 for a period not exceeding 12 months, as well as resolution 1633
(2005) adopted by the United Nations Security Council on 21 October 2005. 2.
Takes note with satisfaction of the efforts made by all the Ivorian leaders with
a view to restoring confidence between the parties concerned and urges them to
pursue their efforts. 3. Reiterates its concern over the persistence of
the crisis in Côte d'Ivoire and the dangers it poses to the unity of that
country and the cohesion of its social fabric, as well as to peace and stability
in the West African region. 4. Reaffirms the commitment of the African
Union to the respect of the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and
unity of Côte d'Ivoire, in conformity with the relevant principles enshrined
in the Constitutive Act of the African Union, as well as the imperative need for
the speedy reunification of Côte d'Ivoire. The Council also reaffirms the
commitment of the African Union to the peaceful settlement of disputes and its
total rejection of the use of force, as well as of any unconstitutional change
of government. 5. Pays tribute to the Economic Community of West African
States (ECOWAS) and the leaders of the region for their relentless efforts to
promote peace and reconciliation in Côte d'Ivoire. 6. Pays tribute
also the United Nations for its invaluable contribution to the search for peace
and stability in Côte d'Ivoire, in particular through the role being played
by the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), and welcomes the
personal and continued involvement of the Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, and his
commitment to the restoration of peace in Côte d'Ivoire. 7. Further
pays tribute to President Thabo Mbeki of the Republic of South Africa for the
untiring efforts he has deployed in the service of peace and reconciliation in
Côte d'Ivoire, as well as the numerous initiatives he has taken to move
forward the peace process, in his capacity as African Union Mediator, driven by
his deep commitment to finding African solutions to African problems. 8.
Commends President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo, Chairperson
of the African Union, for his tireless efforts and for the initiatives he has
taken to support the peace process in Côte d'Ivoire and to assist in overcoming
the obstacles encountered in its implementation. 9. Expresses its appreciation
for the work done by the International Working Group (IWG) since its establishment,
in conformity with decision PSC/AHG/Comm (XL) and resolution 1633 (2005). 10.
Takes note of the communiqu?ssued following the 10th meeting of the IWG, held
in Abidjan, on 8 September 2006, in which the latter expressed its serious concern
about the deep and persistent obstacles to the implementation of the decisions
adopted by the meeting at the main Ivorian political leaders held in Yamoussoukro,
on 5 July 2006, and of the roadmap elaborated by the IWG and adopted by the Ivorian
Government during the Seminar held in Yamoussoukro from 9 to 11 February 2006,
noted the causes of these impediments, and stressed that, given the prevailing
situation, it was impossible to meet the deadlines set by resolution 1633 (2005)
and that, consequently, it was imperative to define a new transitional framework
that can provide a remedy to the causes of the deadlock that have been identified.
11. Endorses the observation of the ECOWAS Extraordinary Summit of Heads
of State and Government, held in Abuja, on 6 October 2006, on the expiration of
the transitional period of 12 months set by decision PSC/AHG/Comm (XL) and resolution
1633 (2005), and on the impossibility of organising presidential elections on
the scheduled date. 12. Takes note of the recommendations made by the ECOWAS
Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government on the management of the
post 31 October 2006 period. 13. Decides, accordingly that a new transition
period not exceeding 12 months shall be established commencing form 1 November
2006, to complete the following tasks: - identification and registration
of voters
- Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration (DDR) and restructuring
of the Defence and Security Forces
- dismantling of the militias
- restoration
of State authority throughout the territory of Côte d'Ivoire
- the
technical preparation for elections.
14. Decides further that during
this transition period, the following modalities shall apply: - President
Gbagbo shall remain Head of State until the end of the transition period.
- the
Prime Minister of the transition, Charles Konan Banny, shall have all the necessary
powers and means to implement the following activities:
- the disarmament
programme
- the identification process
- the dismantling of the militias
- the
restoration of State authority throughout the country
- electoral issues
- the
redeployment of the administration and public services
- throughout the
territory of Côte d'Ivoire
- The Prime Minister
shall also have the necessary authority over all the integrated Ivorian defence
and security forces to enable him to carry out the tasks assigned to him.
- As
provided for in decision PSC/AHG/Comm(XL) and resolution 1633 (2005), the Minister
shall be accountable to the Prime Minister, who shall have full authority over
his cabinet.
- In the accomplishment of the mission of the government, the
Council of Ministers may, in all matters, take decisions by ordinances or decrees.
In particular, the Council of Ministers may adopt, by ordinance, appropriate practical
measures within the spirit of the law to speed up the processes of issuing duplicates
of birth certificates and certificates of nationality.
- As provided for
by decision PSC/AHG/Comm(XL) and resolution 1633 (2005), the Prime Minister shall
not, in accordance with the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement, be eligible to stand for
the elections to be organised on 31 October 2007, at the latest.
15.
Decides to accept the request of President Thabo Mbeki for South Africa to hand
over the role of Mediation, following its election to the United Nations Security
Council. The Council reaffirms that the African Union will continue to call upon
the leadership of President Mbeki in the resolution of the Ivorian crisis. The
Council congratulates South Africa for its election to the United Nations Security
Council and expresses confidence that South Africa will continue to support the
resolution of the various African conflicts and strive towards world peace and
security. 16. Decides to entrust the pursuit of the mediation to President
Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo in his capacity as Chair of the
African Union, in liaison with the Chairperson of the Commission of the African
Union and the Executive Secretariat of ECOWAS and, as the need may arise, in liaison
with any other African leader willing to make a contribution to the search for
peace in Cote d'Ivoire. The Council further decides that the representative of
the African Union mediator shall lead the day to day mediation in Cote d'Ivoire,
in conformity with decision PSC/AHG/Comm (XL). 17. Reaffirms the centrality
of DDR to the peace process and calls for its immediate completion as well as
for the completion of the disarmament and dismantling of the militias, which should
run concurrently with identification of citizens. The Council invites the Ivorian
authorities to commence security sector reform that would establish a unified
force structure and which would reinforce the republican and neutral character
of the forces. 18. Agrees on the need to organise seminars on security
sector reform by the African Union and ECOWAS in collaboration with partners and
with the participation of commanding and senior officers from West African countries
emerging from conflict. These seminars will examine, among other issues, the principles
of civilian control of armed forces and personal and individual responsibility
for acts of impunity or violation of human rights. 19. Reaffirms its support
to the impartial forces, namely, United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (ONUCI)
and the forces of Operation Licorne that supports it, and calls for an enhanced
mandate for the impartial forces, particularly in the provision of security for
high-ranking government personalities and in the maintenance of law and order
for the holding of free, transparent, open and fair elections. 20. Underscores
the need for the High Representative for Elections (HRE) to wok closely with the
Prime Minister and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to ensure effective
and timely preparation of the elections. The Council encourages the Office of
the HRE to play a greater role in the resolution of disputes linked to the electoral
process, or issues arising out of the procedure and processes to be adopted to
ensure free, transparent, open and fair elections at the end of the transition
period. 21. Urges all Ivorian parties to exercise maximum restraint, work
together to overcome the current stalemate and refrain from any unilateral action
during the transition period. 22. Stresses the crucial importance of the
active involvement of the civil society in the peace process. In this respect,
the Council urges the Ivorian Government to encourage and facilitate the participation
of the civil society in the peace process, and requests the Commission of the
African Union and the ECOWAS Executive Secretariat to support all efforts deployed
to that end. 23. Reminds the Ivorian authorities of their responsibility
for the safety and security of persons and property of all ECOWAS and third country
citizens in Cote d'Ivoire. 24. Urges the Government to ensure the speedy
adoption and implementation of the Code of Conduct for the media as agreed in
Yamoussoukro on 5 July 2006. 25. Reaffirms its support to individual measures
provided for in paragraphs 9 and 11 of the United Nations Security Council resolution
1572 (2004) of 15 November 2004 and subsequent resolutions relating to the commitments
made by the Ivorian parties, and calls on the United Nations Security Council
to take appropriate measures, including sanctions, against individuals or groups
whose conduct either by commission or omission, impedes or disrupts the implementation
of the peace process and relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions
on Cote d'Ivoire. 26. Urges the United Nations to take appropriate measure
with a view to the effective implementation of the arms embargo on Cote d'Ivoire
in conformity with resolution 1572 (2004) and to ensure that those who violate
the embargo are severely punished. 27. Decides to submit this decision
to the United Nations Security Council to enlist its support and to this effect,
requests the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union to take all necessary
steps. 28. Decides to remain seized of the matter. Issued by
AU Peace and Security Council
C/O Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
18
October 2006
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