Assembly/AU/3(XIV) Annex III Page 24 EZULWINI FRAMEWORK FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AFRICAN UNION SANCTIONS IN SITUATIONS OF UNCONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES OF GOVERNMENT IN AFRICA (PSC/PR/2(CCXIII)) I. INTRODUCTION 1. In pursuance of the Decision of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 178th meeting, held on 13 March 2009, to establish a Committee on Sanctions within the perspective of the overall efforts of the AU to combat and prevent unconstitutional changes of Government in Africa, a Retreat of the Peace and Security Council was held in Ezulwini, Kingdom of Swaziland, from 17 to 19 December 2009. The process was sequel to the Decisions of the Assembly, [Assembly/AU/Dec.220(XII) and Assembly/AU/Dec.253(XIII)] adopted in February and July 2009, respectively, within the framework of the implementation of preventive measures against unconstitutional changes of Government and the need for consultations with the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the organs and institutions of the AU, on the ways and means of strengthening the capacity of the AU to deal with the scourge of unconstitutional changes of Government in Africa. 2. In this regard, following extensive deliberations, the Retreat adopted the conclusions outlined below. II. A. CONCLUSIONS OF THE RETREAT Enhancing the effectiveness of the legal framework in the implementation of AU Instruments against unconstitutional changes of Government in Africa 3. By the Lomé Declaration, and reinforced by provisions in the AU Constitutive Act and the PSC Protocol, Africa provides leadership in elaborating an institutional framework to address the phenomenon of unconstitutional changes of Government. Nonetheless, with the new trends and manifestations of undemocratic changes of Government in Africa, it has become imperative to put in place further practical strategies and measures with a view to strengthening the existing institutional arrangements for preventing and combating unconstitutional changes of Government in Africa. 4. The Peace and Securiry Council reaffirmed the centrality of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance to addressing the menace of unconstitutional changes of Government and noted that, pending the entry into force of the Charter, the promotion of zero-tolerance of unconstitutional changes of Government in Africa is a challenge that requires urgent action. Based on a renewed determination and a stronger cooperation of member States, the following principles should guide the new momentum against the scourge of unconstitutional changes of Government: