PSC/AHG/COMM.2(CDXVI) Page 1 COMMUNIQUÉ The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 416th meeting held on 29 January 2014, adopted the following decision on the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR): Council, 1. Takes note of the report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the situation in the Central African Republic and the activities of the African-led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic – MISCA [PSC/AHG/3(CDXVI)], as well as of the statement made by the Chairman of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) ; 2. Recalls communiqué PSC/PR/COMM(CCCLXIII) adopted at its 363rd meeting held on 25 March 2013, condemning the illegal seizure of power by the Seleka group and the resulting unconstitutional change of Government, as well as its subsequent communiqués and press statements on the situation in the CAR, including communiqué PSC/AHG/COMM.2 (CDXI), adopted at its 411th meeting held in Banjul , The Gambia, on 30 December 2013; 3. Pays tribute to the current Chairman of the ECCAS and the Chairman of the ECCAS Follow-up Committee on the CAR, Presidents Idriss Déby Itno of Chad and Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo, respectively, and the other leaders in the region, for their continued commitment to peace, security and stability in the CAR. Council notes with satisfaction the important decisions taken by the ECCAS Extraordinary Summit held in Ndjamena, on 9 and 10 January 2014, reaffirms the leading role of the current Chairman of the ECCAS and the Chairman of the Follow-up Committee in the political support to the transition, and expresses its full support for their efforts. Council urges the international community as a whole, including the United Nations, to provide all necessary support to the efforts of the leaders of the region to facilitate an effective international action in support of the CAR; 4. Expresses its concern about the security, humanitarian and human rights situation in the CAR, particularly the persistence of attacks against civilians in different parts of the CAR territory, despite the undeniable progress made on the ground thanks to the action of MISCA and the French Forces of Operation Sangaris. Council notes with deep concern the heightened religious and inter-communal tensions arising from abuses carried out by various armed groups, particularly the ex- Seleka and anti-Balaka groups; 5. Demands that all concerned CAR stakeholders, including the leaders of former Seleka and the anti-Balaka group and officials of the regime of former President François Bozizé, to unequivocally call on their supporters to put to an immediate end to attacks against civilians and any other action that may undermine efforts aimed at restoring peace, security and stability in the CAR and to promote reconciliation. Council calls upon the Commission to