PSC/PR/COMM.(CDLVIII) Page 2 component, Colonel Patrice Ostangue Bengone, for their dedication and high sense of responsibility; 5. Pays tribute also to the troop and police contributing countries, namely Burundi, Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda and Chad, for their remarkable contributions to MISCA. Council pays tribute to ECCAS and its Member States, as well as to other African countries concerned (Algeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Namibia, Nigeria and South Africa), for their financial and logistical support to the MISCA; 6. Expresses, once again, its appreciation for the important contribution of the Sangaris and EUFOR operations to the stabilization of the situation in the CAR, as part of their support to MISCA and, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council; 7. Reiterates its gratitude to the multilateral and bilateral partners who provided financial and logistical support to MISCA, particularly the EU and its Member States (Luxembourg and the United Kingdom), the United States of America, Canada, Japan and Norway. Council also welcomes the technical support extended by the UN to MISCA; 8. Welcomes the successful transfer of authority from MISCA to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the CAR (MINUSCA), which took place in Bangui, on 15 September 2014, in the presence of the Chairperson of the Commission. Council congratulates the Commission and the UN General Secretariat on their close cooperation and work for the smooth transfer of authority; 9. Reiterates the importance of the continued role of the region, particularly through the actions of the current Chairperson of ECCAS and the Mediator of ECCAS in the CAR crisis, Presidents Idriss Déby Itno and Denis Sassou-Nguesso, and the AU, in support of the peace efforts in the CAR, including support for the ongoing political transition and other aspects of the stabilization process in the country, as well as the coordination of international efforts through the International Contact Group on the CAR (ICG-CAR), co-chaired by the AU Commission and the Republic of the Congo; 10. Encourages the ECCAS Mediator, with the support of the AU and UN Vice-Mediators, Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga and Abdoulaye Bathily, to pursue his efforts to consolidate the outcome of the Forum held in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, from 21 to 23 June 2014, especially the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, and enable the implementation of Phases II and III of the process, as agreed to by the CAR stakeholders, which will take place in the CAR, with the holding of popular consultations in the 16 prefectures of the country and the convening of a National Reconciliation Forum in Bangui; 11. Fully supports the steps being taken by the Commission to maintain a strong presence in the CAR to enable the AU to continue to support the efforts to promote peace, security and