PSC/PR/COMM.(DCI)
Page 1
COMMUNIQUÉ
The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 601st meeting, held in
Addis Ababa, on 30 May 2016, adopted the following decision on the implementation of the
Regional Cooperation Initiative for the Elimination of the Lord's Resistance Army (RCI-LRA):
Council,
1.
Takes note of the briefing made by the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security,
Ambassador Smail Chergui, on the implementation of the RCI-LRA. Council also takes note of
statements made by the representatives of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the
United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU) and the United States of America (USA);
2.
Notes with satisfaction the progress made by the RCI-LRA towards the elimination of
the LRA, particularly through the operations of the Regional Task Force (RTF), which have
degraded the fighting capacity of the LRA. Council acknowledges that the LRA has not yet been
eliminated and that it still has the potential to rejuvenate itself, particularly, if the current
momentum and pressure by the RTF is not sustained. In this regard, Council reaffirms its
commitment to the elimination of the LRA and the stabilization of areas affected by the
activities of this terrorist group;
3.
Also takes note of the challenges undermining the effectiveness of the RCI-LRA,
particularly as they relate to human and financial resources and the prevailing security and
political challenges in the region as a whole, which tend to divert regional and international
efforts from the terrorist group;
4.
Further takes note, with deep concern, of the decision of the Government of Uganda to
withdraw its contingent of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) from the RTF, more so
because this could create a security vacuum, particularly in the Central African Republic (CAR),
which the LRA and other negative forces could exploit to escalate their criminal activities in the
region. In this regard, Council appeals to the Government of Uganda to re-consider its decision,
preferably, until the end of May 2017, instead of the end of October 2016. However, Council
welcomes the offer by the Government of Uganda to train a unit of the CAR Army (FACA) for
counter-LRA operations on the understanding that the CAR Government accepts this offer and
the training will not have any financial implications to the Government of Uganda;
5.
Commends the RTF Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) for their commitment to the
elimination of the LRA and pays tribute to the Ugandan contingent for its lead role in the RTF
operations against the LRA;
6.
Underlines the urgent need for contingency planning for purposes of filling the gap that
is likely to be created in the event that the UPDF contingent is withdrawn, as well as to maintain