PSC/PR/Comm(LXX) Page 1 COMMUNIQUE OF THE 70TH MEETING OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 70th meeting held on 12 and 13 February 2007, considered the relations between Chad and the Sudan. In this regard, Council received briefings from the representatives of Chad and the Sudan, as well as from the representatives of Libya, Equatorial Guinea, on behalf of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), and the United Nations. At the end of its deliberations, Council decided as follows: Council, 1. Takes note of the report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the relations between Chad and the Sudan [PSC/PR/2 (LXX)], as well as the Report of the AU Factfinding Mission to Chad and the Sudan from 21 to 27 April and from 3 to 7 June 2006, respectively; 2. Notes that, notwithstanding the sustained efforts deployed by the AU, CEN-SAD and the international community, the tension between Chad and the Sudan remains high and insecurity persists at their common border. Council also notes with concern the serious humanitarian crisis resulting from this situation; 3. Stresses that the situation prevailing on the ground is the result of a combination of several factors, including the existence of armed rebellions, the crisis of confidence between Chad and the Sudan and, in particular, the Darfur (Sudan) crisis, which has assumed a regional dimension, thereby affecting Chad and the Central African Republic. In this regard, Council underscores the need to step up efforts with a view to finding a speedy and durable solution to the crisis in Darfur, through the implementation of the phased approach for a strengthened peace support operation in Darfur, including the rapid deployment of the African Union/United Nations hybrid operation, and the relaunching of the political process in order to broaden the support base of the Darfur Peace Agreement and facilitate its implementation, in keeping with the decision taken at its 66th meeting in Abuja on 30 November 2006, which endorsed the conclusions of the High Level Consultation on the situation in Darfur held in Addis Ababa on 16 November 2006. To this effect, Council requests the Government of the Sudan and the other concerned parties to provide the necessary cooperation; 4. Notes also the importance of a coherent and holistic regional approach for promoting durable peace and stability in the region. In this regard, Council encourages the Commission and the relevant regional organizations, in close collaboration with the United Nations and other concerned actors, to work together with a view to organizing a regional consultation on the problems facing the region; 5. Condemns strongly the attacks perpetrated by armed groups against Chad and the Central African Republic, which constitute an unacceptable attempt to take over power by force, in violation of the Lomé Declaration on Unconstitutional Changes of Government. Council demands that these armed groups immediately put an end to their attacks and seek a peaceful solution for their grievances;