PSC/PR/COMM.1(DCLXI) Page 1 COMMUNIQUE The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 661st meeting held on 23 February 2017, at the ministerial level, adopted the following decision on Free Movement of People and Goods and its Implications on Peace and Security in Africa: Council: 1. Takes note of the statements made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Rwanda, Honourable Louise Mushikiwabo, in her capacity as the Chairperson of the PSC for the month of February 2017 and by the Acting Director for Peace and Security, on behalf of the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security. Council also takes note of the presentations made by AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Dr. Aisha Abdullahi and by Brigadier-General Joseph Nzabamwita, of the Republic of Rwanda, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA). Council further takes note of the statements made by representatives of Member States, representatives of the African Members of the United Nations Security Council (A3), the Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution (RECs/RMs), as well as by the representative of the United Nations; 2. Acknowledges that the AU Heads of State and Government have adopted important policy decisions on free movement of people and goods, including Agenda 2063. In this context, Council recalls decision [Assembly/AU/Dec.607 (XXVII))] on the Free Movement of Persons and the African Passport adopted by the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government at its 27th ordinary session held in Kigali, Rwanda, in July 2016 in which the Assembly urged all Member States to adopt the African Passport and to work closely with the AU Commission to facilitate the process towards the issuance at national level based on international, continental and national policy provisions and continental design and specifications; 3. Also Acknowledges that besides facilitating regional and continental integration, the benefits of free movement of people, goods and services, far outweigh the real and potential security and economic challenges that may be perceived or generated; 4. Commends all Member States which have already signed and ratified all relevant AU instruments on free movement of people and goods, and encourages those Member States which have not yet done so, to also do the same. In the same context, Council urges Member States to address all institutional and regulatory capacity gaps, in order to have a common policy on free movement of people and goods; 5. Stresses the need for AU Member States to further enhance mutual trust, cooperation and collaboration in addressing security challenges that are related to free movement of people