PSC/PR/COMM.(CCCXCIX) Page 1 COMMUNIQUÉ The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 399th meeting held on 10 October 2013, adopted the following decision on the Joint AU-United Nations Review of the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the benchmarking exercise: Council, 1. Takes note of the report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the Joint AU-United Nations Review of AMISOM and the benchmarking exercise [PSC/PR/2(CCCXCIX)] and of the briefing made by the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission for Somalia and Head of AMISOM, as well as of the statements made by the representatives of the Government of Somalia, permanent members of the UN Security Council and AU Member States seating in that organ (France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States and Rwanda), the UN Secretariat, the European Union (EU) and Italy, as co-Chair of the IGAD Partners Forum; 2. Welcomes, once again, the significant progress made in Somalia, both on the political and security fronts. Council, at the same time, expresses deep concern at the serious threat that Al Shabaab continues to pose in Somalia and in the region. In this respect, Council condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist and cowardly attacks perpetrated by Al Shabaab, notably in Mogadishu against UN common compound and a restaurant, and in Nairobi against a shopping mall. Council expresses its solidarity with the Governments and peoples of Somalia and Kenya, and reiterates AU’s commitment to continue working with Member States and partners in the prevention and combating of terrorism; 3. Recalls resolution 2093(2013) adopted by the UN Security Council on 6 March 2013, requesting, notably, the UN Secretary-General to keep the situation in Somalia under review, including the setting of benchmarks for the establishment of a UN peacekeeping operation, as well as Security Council’s presidential statement of 6 June 2013 (S/PRST/2013/7), welcoming the intention of the UN Secretariat to conduct a joint review of AMISOM with the AU, and emphasizing the importance of both organizations working closely together in this exercise; 4. Further recalls its communiqué PSC/PR/COMM(CCCLVI), adopted at its 356th meeting held 27 February 2013, endorsing the recommendation made to enhance AMISOM, revising the mandate of AMISOM to take into account the evolution of the situation on the ground and the need to consolidate the gains made, and calling upon the UN Security Council to authorize the enhancement of the support package to AMISOM. Council further recalls its communiqué PSC/PR/COMM(CCCLXXIX), adopted at its 379th meeting held on 13 June 2013, in which it stated that it was looking forward to the outcome of the benchmarking exercise; 5. Also recalls the communiqué adopted by the Heads of State and Government of the Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to AMISOM, Ethiopia and Somalia, held in Kampala, Uganda, on 4 August 2013, which notably requested the Commission, in consultation with the concerned stakeholders, to revise the Strategic Concept for the future operations of AMISOM, as endorsed by its 306th meeting held on 5 January 2012 [PSC/PR/COMM.(CCCVI)], in order to align it with the prevailing circumstances in the Mission Area;