PSC/PR/COMM.(DXXI) Page 1 COMMUNIQUÉ The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 521 st meeting held on 30 June 2015, adopted the following decision on the Joint AU – United Nations (UN) Mission to review the benchmarks for the deployment of a UN peacekeeping operation and assess the operations of the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) : Council, 1. Takes note of the report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the Joint AU-UN to review the benchmarks for the deployment of a UN peacekeeping operation and assess AMISOM operations [PSC/PR/2.(DXXI)], as well as of the statement made by the Commissioner for Peace and Security and the briefing given by the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission for Somalia and Head of AMISOM. Council also takes note of the statements made by the representative of Ethiopia, on behalf of the Chair of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the representatives of the European Union (EU), the League of Arab States and the UN, France, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, as members of the UN Security Council, and Italy as co-Chair of the IGAD Partners Forum (IPF); 2. Welcomes the significant progress made in Somalia, both on the political and security fronts. In particular, Council notes with satisfaction the gains made on the ground thanks to the efforts of AMISOM and the Somali National Army (SNA). Council pays tribute to the AMISOM and the SNA personnel for their commitment and courage; 3. Stresses the need for continued efforts by the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the other Somali stakeholders to further reconciliation, and encourages them to intensify these efforts in order to facilitate the successful completion of the political process, notably with respect to federalism and the formation of regional states, the constitutional referendum and the elections planned for 2016; 4. Notes with deep concern that, in spite of the progress made on the ground, Al Shabaab continues to pose a serious threat, both in Somalia and in the rest of the region, and to carry out attacks against the FGS and its security forces, AMISOM, the UN and civilians, with a view to spreading terror and disrupting the political process; 5. Strongly condemns the terrorist attacks recently perpetrated by Al Shabaab against AMISOM personnel, including against Ethiopian and Burundian soldiers on 11 and 26 June 2015, respectively, in Jameco, in the Bay region, and in Leego, Lower Shabelle, as well as the targeted assassinations of Somali officials and politicians and civilians. Council expresses its solidarity with the Government and people of Somalia, as well as its deep appreciation to the troop and police contributing countries (TCCs/PCCs) to AMISOM for their commitment and the sacrifices made; 6. Reiterates the AU’s deep appreciation to the UN, the EU and its Member States, the United States of America and the international community as a whole, for their support to AMISOM, as well as for their commitment towards the promotion of peace, security and reconciliation in Somalia;