PSC/PR/COMM.1(CDVIII) Page 1 COMMUNIQUÉ The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 408th meeting held on 13 December 2013, adopted the following decision on the situation in Guinea-Bissau: Council, 1. Takes note of the briefing provided by the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission for Guinea Bissau on the evolution of the situation in Guinea-Bissau. Council also takes note of statements made by the representatives of Rwanda, in its capacity as an African member of the United Nations of Security Council, as well as of Mozambique, Chair of the Community of Portuguese Language Speaking Countries (CPLP), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN); 2. Recalls its previous press statements and communiqués on the situation in GuineaBissau, including communiqué PSC/AHG/BR/1(CCCXCVII), adopted at its 397th meeting, held at the level of Heads of State and Government, in New York, on 23 September 2013; 3. Expresses its deep appreciation to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), notably its Chairperson, President Alassane Dramane Ouattara, and the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Contact Group, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, for their sustained efforts towards the restoration of constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau, the promotion of sustainable peace, security, stability and development in Guinea-Bissau. Council encourages ECOWAS to continue its efforts; 4. Further expresses its appreciation to the international partners of Guinea-Bissau, for their contribution to the ongoing transition process in Guinea-Bissau, and notes with satisfaction the close coordination among the five concerned international organizations (ECOWAS, Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries – CPLP, International Organization of la Francophonie – OIF, the European Union – EU and AU). Council encourages the Commission, which coordinates the group of the five above-mentioned organizations, to undertake the required consultations for a new mission in Guinea-Bissau, after those undertaken in December 2012 and in July 2013; 5. Takes note of the postponement of the general elections to 16 March 2014. Council encourages the transitional authorities and all other stakeholders to make the necessary arrangements for the holding of elections that will mark the return to constitutional order by the newly-agreed date of 16 March 2014, including the conclusion of the voter registration process, which is currently underway. Council emphasizes that there should be no further delay in the holding of the elections. Council also takes note of the consensus reached by the parties in Guinea-Bissau on the fact that the transition process will end with the installation of all