PSC/PR/Comm (LXXVI) Page 1 COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE 76TH MEETING OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL OF THE AFRICAN UNION ON THE SITUATION IN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF MAURITANIA The Peace and Security Council of the African Union, at its 76th meeting held on 10 April 2007, adopted the following decision on the situation in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania: Council, 1. Takes note of the Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the situation in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania [PSC/PR/2(LXXVI)]; 2. Recalls Declaration PSC/PR/Comm.(XXXVI)-(ii) on the situation in Mauritania, adopted at its 36th meeting held on 4 August 2005; 3. Welcomes the different measures taken by the Chairperson of the Commission with a view to accompanying and supporting the process of the democratic transition and the return to constitutional order, including political support, notably through the activities of his Special Envoy for Mauritania, Amb. Vijay Makhan, the mobilization of resources, technical support for the electoral process and election observation. 4. Notes with satisfaction the developments that took place in Mauritania since the coup d’etat of 3 August 2005 and the smooth conduct of the process of democratic transition, which culminated in the presidential elections of 11 and 25 March 2007 and marked the return to constitutional order; 5. Commends the President and members of the Military Council for Justice and Democracy (CMJD), as well as the Prime Minister and members of the outgoing Government, for having fulfilled the commitments made to the Mauritanian people, the African Union and the international community as a whole and for successfully completing the process for the return to constitutional order. Council also commends the political class, the civil society and the people of Mauritania for the maturity and sense of responsibility they demonstrated throughout the process for the return to constitutional order and for their contribution to promoting democracy and good governance, as well as the respect for human rights in Mauritania; 6. Congratulates the President elect, Mr. Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, and urges him to spare no effort to consolidate the gains of the transition, strengthen the rule of law and good governance, deepen the democratic process and take all appropriate measures to reinforce national unity and cohesion; 7. Decides to lift the suspension measure taken against Mauritania by its 36th meeting held on 4 August 2005; 8. Calls on Member States, as well as the bilateral and multilateral partners of Mauritania, to provide all the necessary support to the newly elected authorities. Council requests the Chairperson of the Commission to support the efforts of the newly elected authorities.