PSC/PR/COMM.(DLIV) Page 1 COMMUNIQUÉ The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 554th meeting, held on 3 November 2015, adopted the following decision on the situation of refugees in the Dadaab camps in Kenya: Council, 1. Takes note of the Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the refugee situation in Dadaab camps in Kenya [PSC/PR/2(DLIV)] and the briefing provided by Commission on the matter. Council also takes note of the statements made by the representatives of the Republic of Kenya and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR); 2. Recalls its previous communiqués and press statements on the Republic of Kenya’s efforts in fighting al-Shabaab and its plan of relocating the Dadaab Refugee Camps, in particular, Press Statement PSC/PR/BR.(DXXXVII), adopted at its 537th meeting held on 24 August 2015, in which Council agreed to undertake further consultations on this issue with all concerned stakeholders, with a view to contributing to the search for a sustainable solution that would take into account Kenya’s overall national security concerns, whilst respecting relevant international and African instruments on refugees, and requested the Commission to submit to it a report on the issue, with recommendations on the way forward; 3. Reiterates its appreciation to the Government and people of Kenya for hosting large numbers of refugees in the country and particularly, at the Dadaab camps, since its establishment in 1990 despite the attendant security challenges. In this regard, Council appeals to the Government of the Republic of Kenya to continue extending necessary support to the refugees, while seeking a balanced and acceptable arrangement and in accordance with the Tripartite Agreement signed on 10 November 2013 between the Republic of Kenya, the Federal Government of Somalia and the UNHCR; 4. Notes with deep concern that the humanitarian character of the Dadaab refugee camps has been compromised by the activities of the al-Shabaab terrorist group which the Government of Kenya accuses of planning and launching attacks on Kenya from the camps, with the most recent being those perpetrated at Westgate Mall in Nairobi and Garissa University College in Northeastern Kenya. Council stresses that under no circumstances should refugee camps be used as places of recruitment or planning for illegal activities and radicalization leading to terrorist activities. In this regard, Council strongly condemns the use of refugee camps for such acts and warns those responsible that they will be accountable in accordance with the relevant provisions of both International Humanitarian Law and International Criminal Law. Council stresses the need for all concerned to extend the necessary support and cooperation to efforts aimed at preventing the use of refugee camps to plan and launch terrorist attacks and other criminal activities that may undermine and jeopardize the humanitarian character of the camps;