PSC/PR/COMM.(DCCLXXIII) Page 1 COMMUNIQUE The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 773rd meeting held on 18 May 2018, considered a report on its field mission to Sudan (Khartoum and Darfur), which took place from 5 to 9 May 2018, and adopted the following decision: Council: 1. Notes with satisfaction the improved political and security environment in Darfur and commends the Government of Sudan and the African Union United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) for the great efforts deployed to ensure security, stability and development for the people of Darfur. 2. Notes with deep concern the humanitarian situation of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the camps and urges the Government of Sudan and the international community to redouble efforts to ensure that the IDPs are supplied with basic needs. Council further notes that the IDPs have expressed a strong desire to return to the areas of origin in order to engage in productive life after years in displacement. 3. Acknowledges that while the process of voluntary return of the IDPs to their areas of origin has been well received by the IDPs, there is still a need to urgently and equitably address the land tenure issues as it relates to the returnees. In this regard, Council urges the Government of Sudan, through the residual committees of the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA), to intensify efforts towards addressing the root causes of conflict in Darfur, including the return of the IDPs. Council underlines that UNAMID should continue to work closely with the Government of Sudan to ensure that there is enough international support for this key initiative. In this regard, Council requests the Government of Sudan to present a full report to the PSC on progress made to address the root causes of the Sudanese crisis in Darfur, in order to avert any possible relapse to conflict, to its next session on UNAMID; 4. Welcomes the peace efforts deployed by the Government of Sudan on the collection of arms from the civilians. Council commends the Government of Sudan, with the support of UNAMID, for the efforts deployed to collect arms, which has greatly contributed to the stabilization of the security situation in the region and encourages the Government to sustain this exercise, in a balanced and equitable manner, to ensure that the arms collection process is effective and does not lead to further clashes; 5. Emphasizes the need to further stabilizing the security sector within the framework of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) and the African Union Policy Framework on Security Sector Reform, which ensures national decision and ownership of the security reform, and alignment with conflict prevention, peace processes, and post conflict reconstruction;