PSC/PR/COMM.(CDLXI) Page 2 8. Welcomes the steps taken by the Commission to develop strategies to facilitate effective monitoring of the situation of women and children in conflict situations in Africa. In this regard, Council appeals to all AU Member States and, in particular, the countries concerned, to collaborate with and support these initiatives; 9. Commends the Commission for the measures being taken to enhance the mainstreaming of gender, particularly in AU-led Peace Support Operations (PSOs); 10. Urges all Member States that have not yet done so to sign and ratify, without any further delay, the relevant AU instruments, notably the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (1999) and the Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (2009), as well as other relevant international instruments. Council stresses the need for renewed efforts towards the implementation of these instruments, as well as of the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (2005); 11. Underlines the need for continued mobilization to prevent and combat all forms of violence against women and children, including kidnapping. In this regard, Council, recalling that the young Nigerian girls who were kidnapped in Chibok have now been in captivity for six months, reiterates its appeal for renewed and coordinated international efforts to ensure their release and prevent the recurrence of such cowardly and criminal acts; 12. Reiterates its zero-tolerance stance on SEA and, noting with concern the allegations made by Human Rights Watch regarding acts of SEA by AMISOM uniformed personnel, welcomes the decision taken by the Commission to thoroughly investigate these allegations and take appropriate action if they were to be found accurate. Council further welcomes the additional steps being taken by the Commission and the AMISOM leadership to prevent and combat SEA, including the adoption of a one-year plan on SEA, the envisaged inclusion of a specific Annex to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Troop and Police Contributing Countries (T/PCCs) on SEA, and the improvement of welfare and recreation facilities for the AMISOM civilian and uniformed personnel; 13. Underlines the importance of both pre-deployment and in-mission trainings on the prevention and combating of SEA for personnel deployed in AU-led PSOs. Council urges AU Member States which have not yet done so, especially T/PCCs to AU PSOs, to develop comprehensive and robust systems to effectively address sexual violence and SEA; 14. Requests the Chairperson of the Commission to submit regular reports on the implementation of Council’s decisions related to women, children and sexual violence in conflict situations; 15. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.