Assembly/AU/6(XV) Page 18 the Republic was to end. Given that the constitution had no provision to address this issue, the National Assembly, after consultation with the various social and professional groups of the country, adopted on 10 May 2010, a law extending the mandate of the President of the Republic and Members of Parliament up to the organization of presidential and legislative elections. The IEC, meanwhile, managed to set new dates for the legislative and presidential elections respectively on 24 October and 19 December 2010 for the first and second rounds. But, the Commission still lacks financial resources to fulfil its mission. 83. The DDR programme launched since February 2009 pursuant to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 21 June 2008 in Libreville, but which had been considerably delayed because of difficulties in its practical implementation, insecurity in certain areas of the country, the terms of its financing and inadequate resources, received a new impetus on 13 June 2010 with the launch of the campaign to verify lists, in Paoua. It is noteworthy, also to highlight the many abuses and attacks committed by the LRA elements of Joseph Koni’s, which have increased since February 2010. 84. In this context, the Assembly should stress the need for CAR actors to do everything to ensure the holding of elections within the agreed timeframe. In this regard, the importance of the implementation of the DDR programme cannot be overemphasized. In addition, the Assembly should reiterate its call to Member States and the international community as a whole to provide the support required for the completion of the electoral process and ensure the socio-economic reconstruction of the CAR. b) Cross-cutting issues 85. In addition to the situations on the ground as presented above, there are a number of cross-cutting issues that are relevant to the ongoing efforts to promote peace, security and stability on the Continent. During the period under review, particular attention was devoted to the following issues: (i) Preventing and combating of terrorism 86. The African Union is endowed with legal instruments, with a Plan of Action for prevention and elimination of terrorism, as well as a tool for information exchange and coordination of cooperation which is the Centre for Studies and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT). These tools are subject to continuous development, as illustrated by the publication “African Journal on Terrorism Studies”. 87. The various events in the Sahel-Saharan region, including the increase in hostage taking and the payment of ransom to terrorist groups have continued to characterize the news with tensions. The efforts of consultation, coordination and cooperation of the concerned Member States of the AU have initiated a dynamic which include political, diplomatic, military and security, aspects as evidenced by the Ministerial meeting in Algiers and subsequent installation of a common operational structure in Tamanrasset.