PSC/PR/Comm.(XVI)
Page 1
COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE SIXTEENTH MEETING OF
THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL
The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its sixteenth
meeting, on 17 September 2004, adopted the following Communiqué:
A.
ON THE SITUATION IN THE DARFUR REGION OF THE SUDAN
Council,
1.
Welcomes the convening, in Abuja, Nigeria, since 23 August 2004, of the
Inter-Sudanese Peace Talks on the crisis in Darfur, under the auspices of the AU and
with the support of its Partners;
2.
Urges the Parties, namely the Government of the Sudan (GoS), the Justice
and Equality Movement (JEM) and the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A), to
comply fully with the N’djamena Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement of 8 April 2004.
Council further calls on the Parties to extend full cooperation to the AU, to remain
committed to the negotiation process and to work with determination towards a
lasting and comprehensive political settlement of the conflict in Darfur;
3.
Pays tribute to President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairman of the AU, for his
leadership and sustained efforts in promoting an early and negotiated solution to the
conflict in Darfur;
4.
Commends the efforts of the Chairperson of the AU Commission and his
Special Envoy for Darfur, Hamid Algabid, deployed with the support of the AU
Partners;
5.
Urges the GoS to demonstrate more commitment and determination to
address the prevailing situation in Darfur and to extend full cooperation to the AU
Mission in the Sudan (AMIS) to allow it to act more effectively;
6.
Reiterates the need for the AU to continue to play a leading role in the
efforts to find a solution to the conflict in Darfur and, in this regard, welcomes the
support rendered by the international community. Council expresses appreciation
for the support given by the UN and the UN Secretary-General to the AU in its
efforts on the conflict in Darfur;
7.
Stresses the need for sustained efforts to ensure that progress continue to
be made in the Naivasha Peace Process;
8.
Requests the Commission to expedite the preparations for the enhancement
of the AMIS and to submit to it proposals in that regard, in conformity with
paragraph 9 of the PSC Communiqué of 27 July 2004.