PSC/PR/COMM.(DCXLIX) Page 1 COMMUNIQUÉ The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 649th meeting held on 16 January 2017, considered the Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the situation in Somalia and the implementation of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) mandate and adopted the following decision: Council, 1. Takes note of the Report of the Chairperson of the Commission and the briefing made by the Commissioner for Peace and Security on the situation in Somalia and implementation of the AMISOM mandate. Council also takes note of the statements made by the representatives of Somalia, and Ethiopia, as Chair of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and as African Member of the UNSC, as well as by the representatives of Egypt, China, France, United Kingdom, United States of America, the European Union and the United Nations; 2. Recalls its previous decisions on the situation in Somalia and AMISOM, including Communiqué PSC/PR/COMM(DCXXII) adopted at its 622nd meeting held on 6 September 2016, Communiqué PSC/PR/COMM(DCVIII) adopted at its 608th meeting held on 29 June 2016, and Communiqué PSC/PR/COMM.2(DXCV) adopted at its 595th meeting held on 28 April 2016; 3. Expresses satisfaction with the progress made by the Federal Government of Somalia in the electoral process in Somalia. In this respect, Council welcomes the establishment of a Bicameral Assembly composed of Upper and Lower Houses, as well as the re-election on 11 January 2017, of Mohamed Sheihk Osman Jawaari as the Speaker of the 9 th Parliament. In the same context, Council commends the commitment of the Somalia National Leadership Forum (NLF), Federal Independent Electoral Implementation Team, State-level Indirect Electoral Implementation Team, Indirect Electoral Dispute Resolution Mechanism and other national stakeholders to this electoral process, including the election of women representatives in the House of Parliament; 4. Stresses the importance of ensuring that all allegations of malpractices and manipulated voting are objectively addressed and, looks forward to the completion of the electoral process through the election of a President as scheduled and without any further delays. Council commends the Somalia National Security Forces (SNSF) and AMISOM personnel for their valor, professionalism and effectiveness in supporting this electoral process, which is ongoing without major incidents, especially around the six designated electoral locations; 5. Welcomes the achievements made in the state formation process in Somalia. In this regard, Council notes with satisfaction the conclusion, on 17 October 2016, of the formation of Hirshabelle regional administration whose Assembly elected the Regional President, VicePresident, Speaker and Deputy Speaker, which marks the formal completion of the establishment of federal member states in Somalia. Council reiterates its full support to the