PSC/AHG/COM.(DCCXLIX) 1 Page COMMUNIQUE The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 749th meeting, held on 27 January 2018, at the level of Heads of State and Government, on the theme: “Towards a Comprehensive Approach to Combatting the Transnational Threat of Terrorism in Africa”, adopted the following decision: Council, 1. Takes note of the statements made by H.E. President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Chairperson of the PSC for the month of January 2018 and H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU Commission, as well as by H.E. Antonio Guterres, the SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations. Council also takes note of the briefing made by the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, H.E. Ambassador Smail Chergui, on a comprehensive approach to combatting the transnational threat of terrorism and violent extremism in Africa. Council further takes note of the statement made by H.E. Ahmed Ouyahia, the Prime Minister of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, on behalf of H.E. President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, in his capacity as the Leader on the Thorny Issue of Combating Terrorism and Violent Extremism in Africa. Council further takes note of the presentation made by Mr. Shimelis W. Semayat, the Executive Secretary of the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA); 2. Reiterates its strong condemnation of all terrorist acts, methods, practices and incitements, regardless of the pretext under which they are committed. Council also reiterates its strong condemnation of violent extremist ideologies and narratives, and recognizes the integral role of these phenomena in the ultimate execution of terrorist acts. Council stresses the imperative of combating all sort of extremism and hate speech, wherever they emanate from; 3. Recalls all its previous decisions and pronouncements on terrorism and violent extremism, particularly, Press Statement PSC/PR/BR. (DCCXI) adopted at its 711 th meeting held on 22 August 2017; Communique PSC/PR/COMM. (DCLXXXVII) adopted at its 687th meeting held on 23 May 2017; Communique PSC/PR/COMM. (DCL), adopted at its 650 th meeting held on 17 January 2017; Communique PSC/PR/ COMM. 1 (DCXXVIII) adopted at its 628 th meeting held on 28 September 2016; Press Statement PSC/PR/BR.(DCXXVII) adopted at its 627th meeting, open session, held on 26 September 2016; Press Statement PSC/PR/BR (DXCII) adopted at its 592nd meeting held on 19 April 2016; Communique PSC/ AHG/ COMM.1 (DLXXI) adopted at its meeting held at the level of Heads of State and Government on 29 January 2017; and Press Statement PSC/PR/BR.2 (DLX) adopted at its 560th meeting held on 26 November 2016; as well as Communique PSC/AHG/COMM (CDLV) adopted at its 455th meeting held at the level of Heads of State and Government on 2 September 2014, in Nairobi, Kenya;