PSC/AHG/Comm(LXVI) Page 1 COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE 66TH MEETING OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL The Peace and Security Council of the African Union, at its 66th meeting held at the level of Heads of State and Government, on 30 November 2006, in Abuja, Nigeria, adopted the following decision on the situation in Darfur (the Sudan): Council: 1. Takes note of the Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the Situation in Darfur (the Sudan) – PSC/AHG/2(LXVI), and the observations contained therein on the various aspects of the peace process in Darfur, including the efforts being deployed for the implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement and the broadening of its support base; 2. Decides to endorse the conclusions of the Addis Ababa High level Consultation on the situation in Darfur of 16 November 2006, which provides for a three-phased United Nations support to the African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS): (i) a light support package, (ii) a heavy support package and (iii) a hybrid operation. With respect to the hybrid operation, Council decides that: a) the Special Representative shall be jointly appointed by the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, after appropriate consultations as per the practice, b) the Force Commander, who should be an African, shall be appointed by the Chairperson of the Commission in consultation with the SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations, c) the Mission shall benefit from United Nations backstopping and command and control structures and systems, d) the size of the force shall be determined by the African Union and the United Nations, taking into account all relevant factors and the situation on the ground, as well as the requirements for it to effectively discharge its mandate; 3. Decides to extend the mandate of AMIS for a period of 6 months, from 1 January 2007, subject to review by Council and based on the availability of financial resources; 4. Appeals to the United Nations to consider providing logistical and financial support to the Mission, as envisaged in the conclusions of the Addis Ababa High-level Consultation on the situation in Darfur. In the meantime, Council appeals to the partners of the African Union to continue providing the required logistical and financial support; 5. Requests the Chairperson of the Commission to take all appropriate measures for the follow-up and implementation of the above decisions; 6. Decides to remain seized of the matter.