PSC/PR/Comm.(XXXV)
Page 1
COMMUNIQUE OF THE 35TH MEETING
OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL
The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 35th meeting
held on 25 July 2005, adopted the following communiqué on the situation in Liberia:
Council,
1.
Takes note of the Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the situation
in Liberia [PSC/PR/1(XXXV)];
2.
Reiterates its conviction the Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) of
18 August 2003 remains the most viable framework for the consolidation of the peace
process and the post-conflict reconstruction of Liberia. Council encourages all the
parties and stakeholders to scrupulously implement and respect the provisions and
timelines of the Agreement;
3.
Commends the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the
United Nations (UN) and the other bilateral and multilateral Partners for the support
extended in the implementation of the CPA since the establishment of the National
Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL). Council welcomes the progress made in
the implementation of the Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation and
Reintegration (DDRR) programmes, the security sector reform, the improvement of the
overall security situation, as well as the successful deployment of the United Nations
Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), as important achievements towards the reconstruction and
stabilization of Liberia;
4.
Appeals to the AU Member States and Partners to provide additional financial
resources to enable the NTGL successfully conclude the rehabilitation and reintegration
of the remaining ex-combatants, the demobilization of the Armed Forces of Liberia, and
the effective implementation of the programmes for the repatriation of refugees and the
return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Council requests the Member States and
the Commission to support community-based development projects being executed as
part of the Rehabilitation and Reintegration components of the DDRR programmes, in
particular those that involve African NGOs;
5.
Notes with concern the difficulties confronting the Transitional Institutions,
particularly with respect to corrupt practices, which could undermine the significant
progress made so far. Council urges the NTGL to put in place a mechanism for
checking and punishing such practices. Council further takes note of the current efforts
toward the design of an Economic Governance Action Plan, the implementation of which
would create propitious governance conditions that would strengthen the efforts towards
the lifting of sanctions on Liberia;
6.
Calls upon all the leaders and senior officials of the NTGL to uphold the principle
of accountability and transparency and to place the interests of Liberia before any other
considerations;