PSC/PR/Comm. (XLIII) Page 1 COMMUNIQUE OF THE 43RD MEETING OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 43rd meeting, held on 22 November 2005, adopted the following decision on the preparation for the 7th Round of the Inter-Sudanese Peace Talks on the conflict in Darfur: Council, 1. Expresses concern over recent developments on the ground, particularly violations of the Ceasefire Agreement, under any pretext whatsoever, and calls upon all the parties to exercise maximum restraint and to abide by their commitments; 2. Urges all the Parties to return immediately to Abuja for the 7th Round of the Talks, without any preconditions, and to ensure that the 7th Round is the decisive one, with a comprehensive peace Agreement to end the conflict in Darfur, as was agreed at the end of the 6th Round; 3. Reminds the leaders of the SLM/A of their heavy responsibility not to prolong the suffering of their people in Darfur and, in this respect, strongly demands that they put aside their differences and personal ambitions and focus on the negotiations to end the conflict; 4. Further demands that, as soon as practicable, the leadership crisis in the Movement should be addressed collectively and resolved in a manner that is democratic, transparent and fair; 5. Requests the Commission to ensure that invitations to the 7th Round of the Talks are extended to the two groups in the SLM/A, as may be deemed appropriate; 6. Commends all countries and institutions that have taken initiatives to overcome the divisions within the SLM/A and requests them to pursue their efforts in close cooperation and consultation with the AU; 7. Decides, in close cooperation and consultation with the UN Security Council, to consider future appropriate measures, including sanctions, to be taken against any party that will undermine or constitute an obstacle to the peace process in Darfur, including the Abuja Talks, as well as violations of the N’djamena Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement and the Abuja Protocols; 8. Appeals to all international partners to lend their strong support to the AU position on an all-inclusive peace process that will address the legitimate grievances of the people of Darfur and to continue to support the Peace Talks, as well as the AMIS deployment in Darfur, with financial and material resources;