PSC/PR/Comm(LVII) Page 1 COMMUNIQUE OF THE 57TH MEETING OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 57th meeting held on 21 June 2006, adopted the following decision on the situation in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania: Council, 1. Takes note of the brief on the developments in the transition process in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania [PSC/PR/2 (LVII)] and the briefing from the Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the Commission for Mauritania, as well as the statement by the Permanent Representative of Mauritania to the AU; 2. Welcomes the positive developments that have taken place in Mauritania since September 2005, towards the return to constitutional order, as well as the measures taken by the Mauritanian authorities. In this respect, Council notes with satisfaction the adoption by the Mauritanian authorities of the recommendations of the National Days of Dialogue, including the decision to reduce the transitional period from 24 to 19 months, the establishment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the conduct of the census to facilitate the elections, as well as the adoption of measures relating to individual and collective freedoms and the promotion of democratic values and principles; 3. Urges the Mauritanian authorities and the other concerned parties to continue to work together in a consensual and consultative manner for the early return to constitutional order; 4. Encourages the people of Mauritania to participate actively in the constitutional referendum due to take place on 25 June 2006 and other subsequent consultations that will take place in keeping with the electoral calendar. Council welcomes the decision of the Chairperson of the Commission to dispatch a team, led by his Special Envoy, Ambassador Vijay Makhan, to observe the referendum; 5. Calls upon the concerned parties to refrain from any action likely to undermine the ongoing process; 6. Appeals to the Member States, the international partners and the international community at large, to continue to provide all the necessary assistance, including technical, logistical and financial support, to enable the Mauritanian authorities and all the political stakeholders to bring the process of return to constitutional order in Mauritania to a successful conclusion; 7. Expresses satisfaction at the measures taken by the Chairperson of the Commission to backstop the ongoing process, including the missions undertaken by his Special Envoy, and encourages him to continue to support the process of return to constitutional order in Mauritania; 8. Decides to remain seized of the matter.