PSC/AHG/Comm.(IX) Page 2 6. In Burundi, substantial progress has been made in the peace process. We encourage the Parties to pursue their efforts until the conclusion of the peace process, particularly by agreeing on the modalities for the organization and the holding of democratic elections and by facilitating the disarmament and reintegration process of the combatants. We urge the PALIPEHUTU/FNL of Agathon Rwasa to cease its attacks and join the peace process, in accordance with the decision of the 20th Summit of the Regional Peace Initiative, held on 16 November 2004. 7. We commend the African Mission in Burundi (AMIB), which, in spite of the very limited financial resources placed at its disposal, has managed to carry out its mission with competence and devotion. We sincerely thank the troop contributing countries, namely South Africa, Ethiopia and Mozambique, for having responded positively to the appeal of the African Union as well as for the sacrifices made by them. We welcome the adoption by the UN Security Council, on 21 May 2004, of a resolution authorizing the deployment of a peacekeeping operation in Burundi. We request the Chairperson of the Commission to ensure that the AU maintains an observer Mission in Burundi, to continue to support the implementation of the peace process and facilitate cooperation with the UN peacekeeping operation. 8. Remarkable progress has been made in the implementation of the transition in the DRC. In this regard, we should mention the recent appointment of Governors and Vice – Governors of Provinces, which constitutes an important step towards the restoration of the authority of the State over its entire territory. We also welcome the commitments made by the armed groups in the Ituri region during their consultative meeting with the Government, on 8 – 9 May 2004. At the same time, we wish to express our deep concern with regard to the delays in the implementation process of the different agreements concluded. 9. We commend the efforts made by the international community in general and of CIAT in particular, aimed at sustaining the peace process, including the preparation of the elections in the country. We request the Governments of the countries of the region to establish the conducive conditions for the resumption of relations of cooperation and good neighbourliness between them. 10. The Central African Republic continues to face serious political and socioeconomic difficulties. We stress the need for all the actors concerned, including General François Bozizé, in light of the statement he made in Libreville, on 25 April 2003, to create the necessary conditions for the genuine restoration of