PSC/PR/Comm.1(XXXVII)
Page 1
COMMUNIQUE OF THE 37TH MEETING
OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL
The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 37th
meeting, held on 8 September 2005, adopted the following decision on the situation
in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania:
The Council,
1.
Takes note of the report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the
situation in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, including the results of the visit of the
AU Ministerial delegation to Nouakchott on 9 August 2005 [PSC/PR/2(XXXVII)];
2.
Recalls Declaration PSC/PR/Decl.(XXXVI)-(ii) on the situation in Mauritania
adopted at its 36th session on 4 August 2005;
3.
Takes note of the developments in Mauritania since the August 3rd coup d’état
and the commitments made by the new Mauritanian authorities towards the swift
restoration of constitutional order by a process which will culminate in the holding of
free, fair and transparent elections. The Council takes note:
-
the adoption of decrees instituting an inter-ministerial Committee for
justice, an inter-ministerial Committee for the democratic transition
process charged with proposing the measures and provisions intended
to guarantee the smooth holding of scheduled elections, in consultation
with political parties and the civil society, and of an inter-ministerial
Committee for good governance;
-
the adoption of a Constitutional Ordinance relating to the ineligibility of
the President and members of the CMJD, of the Prime Minister and
members of Government, for presidential and legislative elections
scheduled within the framework of the democratic transition process;
-
the commitment not to co-opt, favour any political party, or create any
party or organisation;
-
the request addressed to the United Nations on 26 August 2005 for
electoral assistance toward organising a constitutional referendum on
July 2006, at the latest, to be followed by presidential and legislative
elections before 3 August 2007; and
-
the announcement, on 5 September 2005, of a general amnesty for all
Mauritanians being prosecuted, indicted or sentenced for political
crimes and offences.