PSC/PR/Comm(LXXI) Page 1 COMMUNIQUE OF THE 71ST MEETING OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 71st meeting held on 16 February 2007, considered the situation in the Republic of Guinea. The Council received briefings from the Commission and the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Guinea to the African Union. At the end of its deliberations, the Council decided as follows: The Council, 1. Expresses its grave concern over the situation prevailing in the Republic of Guinea and its implications for peace, security and stability in the sub-region; 2. Regrets the loss of human lives during the January 2007 general strike, and in February 2007. The Council strongly condemns the disproportionate use of force and the repression of the civilian population and, in this regard, requests the opening of an independent inquiry, with the participation of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, in order to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators of the atrocities and other acts of violence committed during these events; 3. Underscores the fact that the crisis facing Guinea is deep seated, and that it can only be resolved within the framework of open dialogue and consultations among the concerned parties. In this regard, the Council requests the Guinean authorities to take immediate and appropriate measures in order to bring to an end all acts of violence being committed by the security forces and facilitate a genuine dialogue among all the stakeholders; 4. Urges the President of the Republic and the Government of Guinea to scrupulously respect the spirit and letter of the Procès Verbal de Négociation signed on 27 January 2007, including the appointment of a new consensual Prime Minister; 5. Expresses its support to the initiatives taken by ECOWAS and its current Chairperson with a view to assisting in the resolution of the crisis. The Council commends the efforts of the current Chairperson of the African Union, as well as the initiatives already taken by the Chairperson of the Commission and requests the latter to continue working closely with ECOWAS and to intensify his consultations with all relevant institutions, including the United Nations, with a view to establishing the modalities for a sustained and concerted action aimed at the rapid resolution of the crisis facing Guinea, including through the establishment of an appropriate coordination mechanism; 6. Decides to remain seized of the matter. 1