PSC/MIN/Comm(LI) Page 1 COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE 51ST MEETING OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 51st meeting, held at ministerial level, on 15 May 2006, adopted the following decision on the situation in Darfur: Council, 1. Takes note of the Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the status of implementation of the Peace and Security Council Decision of 10 March 2006 on the situation in Darfur and the conclusion of the Abuja Peace Talks [PSC/MIN/2(LI)]; 2. Welcomes and endorses the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) signed in Abuja on 5 May 2006 by the Government of National Unity (GoNU) and the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) of Minni Minawi, which paves the way for the restoration of lasting peace and security in Darfur. Council commends the courage of the GoNU and the leaders of the Movement that signed the DPA and those individuals and groups that subsequently identified themselves with the Agreement and asked to be considered as partners in its implementation. Council urges all concerned to respect their commitments and implement the agreement in good faith and without delay; 3. Pays tribute to President Olusegun Obasanjo of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and President Denis Sassou-Nguesso of the Republic of Congo, Current Chairman of the AU, for their exhaustive and tireless efforts, which helped in bringing about a successful conclusion to the Abuja Peace Talks. Council commends Salim Ahmed Salim, the Special Envoy and Chief Mediator, and his Mediation Team, for their work and sustained efforts that resulted in the signing of the DPA; 4. Expresses appreciation to the Chadian co-Mediation, the Facilitators and Observers (Nigeria, Libya, Eritrea and Egypt) and the International Partners (Canada, France, the Netherlands, Norway, the UK, the US, the EU, the League of Arab States and the UN ) for the support they extended to the AU Mediation and to the Parties; 5. Decides that the effective date for the commencement of the implementation of the DPA shall be 18.00 hours GMT on 16 May 2006; 6. Stresses the urgent need for representatives of the signatory Parties, AMIS, the Partners, including the UN, and other stakeholders, to initiate joint outreach campaigns to explain the main provisions and benefits of the DPA to the people of Darfur. In this regard, Council welcomes the statement signed by 23 tribal leaders and elders from Darfur and subsequent statements by other groups expressing their full and unconditional support for the DPA and its scrupulous implementation;