PSC/PR/Comm(CLV)
COMMUNIQUE OF THE 155TH MEETING
OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL
The Peace and Security Council of the African Union, at its 155th meeting held on
31 October 2008, adopted the following decision on the situation in Eastern
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC):
Council,
1. Takes note of the briefing by the Commissioner for Peace and Security on
the situation in Eastern DRC and the efforts aimed at resolving the crisis in
that region;
2. Recalls the statement issued by the Chairperson of the Commission on
28 October 2008, as well as the Press Statement issued at its 154th
meeting held on 30 October 2008;
3. Reiterates its serious concern at the deteriorating security and
humanitarian situation in North Kivu, since the resumption of hostilities
between the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and the National
Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP) of the dissident General
Laurent Nkunda, on 28 August 2008. Council demands that all the parties
concerned scrupulously respect the provisions of International
Humanitarian Law, ensure the protection of the civilian population and
facilitate the work of humanitarian agencies;
4. Strongly condemns the recent CNDP offensive in Eastern DRC, in
serious violation of the Actes d’engagement signed by the parties to the
peace process in the Kivus, within the framework of the Conference on
Peace, Security and Development in the provinces of North and South
Kivu, held in Goma from 6 to 23 January 2008. In this regard, Council
takes note of the announcement of a unilateral ceasefire by General
Laurent Nkunda, and requests that this ceasefire be scrupulously
respected and that the hostilities be unconditionally and definitely brought
to an end;
5. Recalls the crucial importance of the implementation of the Actes
d’engagement for the restoration of lasting peace, security and stability in
the Kivu provinces. In this regard, Council underlines the need for the
signatories of these Agreements to scrupulously respect them and further
calls on the CNDP to resume, without delay, its participation in the Amani
Programme;
6. Recalls also the decision taken by the 23rd meeting of Council held in
Libreville, Gabon, on 10 January 2005, on the situation in Eastern DRC
and the relations between DRC and Rwanda. Council underscores the