PSC/AHG/BR/2(CCCXCVII) Page 1 PRESS STATEMENT The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 397th meeting held on 23 September 2013, adopted the following press statement on the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR). Council recalled its previous decisions on the situation in the CAR. Council reiterated its deep concern over the grave situation in the CAR and the need for sustained support from the international community in order to address the situation. Council, recalling its communiqué PSC/PR/COMM.2(CCCLXXXV) of 19 July 2013, on the deployment of the African led -International Support Mission in the CAR (AFISM-CAR), urged the United Nations Security Council to urgently adopt a resolution endorsing the deployment of AFISM-CAR and authorizing the provision of adequate assistance to the Mission for its effective deployment in the shortest possible time. Council welcomed the consultations between the AU and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) which resulted in an agreement on the modalities of the transition from the Peace Consolidation Mission of the ECCAS (MICOPAX) to MISCA. Council urged Member States and the larger international community to provide emergency humanitarian assistance that is commensurate with the needs of the affected populations.