PSC/PR/COMM.(CDLXI) Page 1 COMMUNIQUÉ The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 461st meeting, held on 14 October 2014, in Addis Ababa, convened an open session on sexual violence in conflict situations in Africa and adopted the following decision: Council, 1. Takes note of the statements made by the Acting Commissioner for Peace and Security and the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission in Somalia and Head of the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), as well as by the Special Representative of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and the representatives of bilateral and multilateral partners and civil society organizations; 2. Recalls its earlier pronouncements on the issue of women and children in conflicts and notes with concern the impact of conflict related sexual violence, including sexual exploitation and abuses (SEA). Council further notes with concern the increased vulnerability of women and girls, as well as men and boys, to sexual violence, which claims the lives of innocent people and results into serious and irreparable consequences for the survivors, their families and communities; 3. Reiterates AU’s strong condemnation of all acts of sexual violence and their use as a weapon of war. Council underscores the imperative for renewed efforts to prevent sexual violence, protect and assist its survivors, and fight impunity by holding perpetrators of such acts accountable. In this respect, Council stresses the critical importance of investigating and documenting all acts of sexual violence in conflict situations, as part of the overall efforts to address this scourge in all its dimensions; 4. Calls on all Member States to take the required steps, including strengthening where required their legislative measures, in order to combat sexual violence and facilitate the investigation of such acts and the prosecution of their authors, and to take all steps required to provide support and assistance to survivors of sexual violence, including through the provision of adequate health services and support in terms of livelihoods; 5. Emphasizes the important role of civil society, think tanks, research and academic institutions in combating sexual violence in conflict situations and, in this regard, acknowledges the need for strategic synergies and coordination of efforts; 6. Stresses the importance of a consolidated and broad approach to sexual violence in conflict situations, aiming at women’s empowerment, gender equality and active participation in peace efforts and processes, as part of long term strategies to prevent conflict-related sexual violence; 7. Commends the Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the Commission on Women, Peace and Security for the important work she is undertaking, with a view to improving the participation of women in political processes, including conflict prevention and mediation, and requests her to regularly brief Council on her activities;