Final Version
PSC/AHG/Comm. (XXIII)
Page 1
COMMUNIQUE OF THE TWENTY-THIRD MEETING
OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL
The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), meeting at
its 23rd meeting, at the level of Heads of State and Government, on 10
January 2005, in Libreville, Gabon, adopted the following communiqué:
A.
ON THE SITUATION IN COTE D’IVOIRE
Council,
1.
Reiterates the concern of the African Union about the serious
difficulties faced by the peace process in Côte d’Ivoire and the substantial
delays in the implementation of the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement of 24
January 2003 and that of Accra III of 30 July 2004, which should continue to
guide the peace process in Côte d’Ivoire;
2.
Reiterates also the concern of the AU about the disastrous
consequences of the present situation on the social cohesion, the economic
fabric and the unity of Côte d’Ivoire as well as on the regional stability and the
economic development prospects of the region as a whole.
In this
connection, Council reaffirms its commitment to the respect of legality,
sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Côte d’Ivoire;
3.
Commends the Chairman of the AU and the Chairperson of the
Commission for their prompt reaction following the serious deterioration of the
situation in early November 2004, including the AU/ECOWAS Ota consultation
meetings and the Abuja Summit held on 6 and 14 November 2004
respectively, under the auspices of President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairman of
the AU, as well as the decision to entrust President Thabo Mbeki with the
mandate of mediating between the Ivorian Parties;
4.
Commends the efforts made by President Thabo Mbeki and the
prospects of a solution he has ushered in and urges all the Ivorian Parties to
continue to maintain a climate conducive to the continuation of President
Thabo Mbeki’s efforts. Council endorses the plan to emerge from the crisis
he submitted to the Ivorian Parties and which focuses on the following points:
a.
the adoption of all the texts emanating from the Linas-Marcoussis
Agreement;
b.
the implementation of the Disarmament, Demobilization and
Reintegration (DDR) programme;