PSC/PR/COMM.(DCCLXIX) Page 2 COMMUNIQUÉ The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 769th meeting, held on 30 April 2018, received a briefing on the Somalia Transition Plan, and adopted the following decision: Council, 1. Takes note of the statement made by the Acting Director for Peace and Security Department, Dr. Admore Kambudzi, on behalf of the Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Smail Chergui. Council also takes note of the presentations by the Minister of Planning, Investment and Economic Development of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E. Gamal Hassan and the National Security Advisor of the Federal Government of Somalia, Mr. Abdisaid Ali, as well as of the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission and Head of the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM), Ambassador Francisco Madeira on the Somalia Transition Plan. Council further takes note of the statements made by the representatives of Ethiopia, in its capacity as Chair of IGAD and African Member of the UN Security Council (A3), the United Nations (UN), and the European Union (EU); 2. Recalls its previous communiques and press statements on the situation in Somalia and on the activities of the AMISOM, particularly Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.(DCCLIII)] adopted at its 753rd meeting held on 15 February 2018, in which Council was briefed on the political stabilization process in Somalia, as well as on the activities and exit strategy of AMISOM; 3. Commends the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) for finalizing the Somalia Transition Plan, with the support of the leadership of AMISOM, which demonstrates the ownership and readiness of the FGS to take over primary security responsibility for the country. 4. Endorses the Somalia Transition Plan, which includes a timeframe for the transition of security responsibilities from AMISOM to the Somali National Security Forces, as well as their capacity building. In this regard, Council expresses AU’s commitment to support the FGS and appeals to all Somali stakeholders to fully commit themselves towards the effective implementation of the Transition Plan with a view to stabilizing the country and restoring lasting peace; 5. Emphasizes that the Somalia Transition Plan is a realistic and comprehensive document which forms the basis for channeling collective efforts and undertake further planning so as to consolidate AMISOM’s gains and make progress towards the take-over of primary security responsibilities by the FGS. Council stresses that the full implementation of the Somalia Transition Plan is dependent on fully addressing the challenges raised by the Operational Readiness Assessment of regional forces, completion of discussions on the Somali troop generation, training, integration, accommodation, equipment and logistical support for the tasks related to the transition;