PSC/PR/COMM(DCCLIX) Page 1 COMMUNIQUÉ The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 759th meeting, held on 23 March 2018, adopted the following decision on the Situation in Mali and in the Sahel, as well as the Operationalisation of the G5 Sahel Joint Force: Council, 1. Takes note of the briefing given by the Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Smail Chergui, on the Situation in Mali and in the Sahel region in general, as well as the Regional and international efforts to fight against terrorism in the region, particularly the operationalisation of the G5 Sahel Joint Force. Council also takes note of the presentation made by the Permanent Secretary of the G5 Sahel, Ambassador Maman Sidikou and that of General Didier Dacko, Commander of the G5 Sahel Joint Force. Council further takes note of the statements made by the representatives of Niger, in his capacity as the current Chair of the G5 Sahel, Mauritania and Burkina Faso, member countries of the G5 Sahel, Ethiopia, in its capacity as the African Member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, the United Nations and the European Union. 2. Recalls the relevant provisions of the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, in particular Article 16, as well as the Memorandum of Understanding of 2008 between the AU and the Regional Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution, the bases of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA); 3. Also recalls its previous decisions on the situation in Mali and in the Sahel region, in particular Communiqué PSC/PR/Comm.DCLXXIX), of its 679th meeting, held on 13 April 2017, by which it endorsed the Concept of Operations of the G5 Sahel Joint Force and authorised its deployment for an initial period of twelve (12) months renewable. Council also recalls Communiqué PSC/PR/comm. (DCCXXXIII) of its 733th meeting, held on 13 November 2017, on the emerging Regional Initiatives; 4. Expresses once again its deep concern over the continuing deterioration of the security situation in Mali and in the Sahel region, largely due to the intensification of terrorist attacks in the north and centre of Mali, as well as in the border region between Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. Council strongly condemns the terrorist attacks against the civilian population, the defence and security forces of the countries of the region and the international forces present in Mali, particularly those of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the French operation Barkhane; 5. Welcomes the state of operationalisation of the G5 Sahel Joint Force, which has just successfully conducted its first two operations after the establishment of its Headquarters in Sevare. Council pays tribute to the leaders of the Member States of the G5 Sahel, namely Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Chad, for their determination and the sacrifices being made in