8. Recalls the appeal of the 4th ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union, held in Addis Ababa, from 15 to 16 March 2004, urging the United Nations Security Council to authorize, as early as possible, the deployment of a peacekeeping force in Burundi; 9. Strongly, urges the UN Security Council to authorize the early deployment of a UN Peacekeeping Mission on the basis of the recommendations made by the UN Secretary General in his report to the Security Council on 16 March 2004 and in conformity with the primary responsibility of the Council for the maintenance of international peace and security; 10. Decides, in the meantime, to renew the mandate of AMIB for a period of one (1) month, from 2 April to 2 May 2004, on the understanding that the UN Security Council will deploy a peace keeping Mission in Burundi before the end of this new mandate; 11. Appeals to all the Stakeholders in Burundi to continue to extend their fullest cooperation to AMIB to facilitate the implementation of its mandate; 12. Decides also to dispatch a mission of the Peace and Security Council to Burundi, with the view to expressing the appreciation of the Council and the African Union, to the Troops, Observers and other personnel serving with AMIB, as well as to assess the situation on the ground in Burundi; 13. Reiterates AU’s appeal to the PALIPEHUTU-FNL of Agathon Rwasa to work towards the speedy conclusion of a ceasefire agreement with the Transitional Government of Burundi (TGoB) and to join the peace and reconciliation process; 14. Appeals urgently to AU Member States and the international community at large, to provide financial and logistics support to sustain the activities of the African Mission in Burundi, pending the deployment of a UN peacekeeping mission; 15. Encourages the Transitional Government of Burundi and the Burundian parties to make maximum efforts to ensure the successful conclusion of the transitional period as provided for in the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement of 28 August 2000, including taking all the necessary steps for the holding of elections as envisaged in the said Agreement. *** 2