PSC/PR/COMM(DCIX) Page 1 COMMUNIQUÉ The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 609th meeting held on 30 June 2016, adopted the following decision on the situation in South Sudan: Council, 1. Takes note of the report of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, as well as the briefing provided by the Chairperson of Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) former President Festus Gontebanye Mogae. Council also takes note of the statements by the AU Commission, representatives of the Republic of South Sudan, Ethiopia as Chair of the Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on the situation in South Sudan in relation to the implementation of the “Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan”; 2. Recalls its earlier communiqués and press statements on the situation in South Sudan, including communiqués PSC/AHG/COMM.1(DXXVII) adopted at its 547th meeting held on 26 September 2015, in New York and PSC/AHG/(DLXXI), adopted at its 571st meeting held at the level of Heads of State and Government on 29 January 2016, in Addis Ababa; 3. Commends the South Sudanese Presidency, led by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, First-Vice President Riek Machar Teny and Vice President James Wani Igga, for establishing the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) on 29 April 2016. Council congratulates the Parties for making the necessary concessions to ensure that the return of First-Vice President was peaceful in order to facilitate the formation of the TGoNU. Council notes the challenges that face the activities of the TGoNU, and encourages the Parties to maintain a spirit of compromise, to assist them in addressing the difficulties facing the government and the people of South Sudan. Council urges the TGoNU to function as a unified government, in order for it to successfully address outstanding issues facing the implementation of the Peace Agreement. In this context, Council welcomes the formation of the Council of Ministers; 4. Commends the JMEC Chairperson, and the JMEC members for their continued and unwavering efforts in monitoring implementation of the Peace Agreement. Council fully supports President Mogae’s efforts, his mandate, as well as decisions taken thus far in pursuance of peace in South Sudan. Council further notes with satisfaction the determination displayed by JMEC to continue engaging the parties even during the most challenging periods of the implementation process; 5. Commends the efforts of the AU High Representative for South Sudan, former President Alpha Oumar Konaré in assisting the South Sudanese parties to overcome their challenges, as well as his continued engagement with regional and international partners in support of the peace process. Council further commends the continued close collaboration between the AU High Representative and JMEC, and urges the AU High Representative to also engage with the Parties on the Arusha Process;