PSC/PR/COMM.(CDLVIII) Page 1 COMMUNIQUÉ The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 458th meeting held on 17 September 2014, adopted the following decision on the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) decision: Council, 1. Takes note of the briefing given by the Commission, the statements made by the representatives of Chad, Chair of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Republic of the Congo, Mediator of ECCAS in the CAR crisis, the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU), as well as by those of France, Rwanda, the United Kingdom and the United States of America in their capacity as members of the UN Security Council; 2. Reiterates its previous communiqués and press statements on the situation in the CAR, including communiqué PSC/PR/COMM.2(CCCLXXXV) adopted at its 385th meeting held on 19 December 2013, authorizing the deployment and specifying the mandate of the African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (MISCA), and communiqué PSC/PR/COMM (CDXXII), adopted at its 422nd meeting held on 7 March 2014, through which Council, among others, welcomed the envisaged deployment of a UN peacekeeping operation to consolidate the gains made by MISCA, with the support of the French Operation Sangaris, facilitate the long-term stabilization of the CAR and support the efforts aimed at tackling the root causes of the recurrent crises faced by the CAR; 3. Commends the outstanding work done by MISCA, with the support of Operation Sangaris and the EU Operation (EUFOR), in the fulfillment of the different aspects of its mandate, which led to a substantial improvement in the security situation, facilitated the commencement of the process aimed at restoring State authority, established the conditions for the resumption of the political process and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the civilian population affected by the crisis. Council notes with satisfaction that the completion by MISCA of the initial stabilization phase of the situation in the CAR has created conditions conducive for the deployment of a UN peacekeeping operation; 4. Pays tribute to the MISCA personnel for their commitment, courage and professionalism in the discharge of their mission, reiterates the sincere condolences of the AU to the families and countries of the 32 soldiers and police personnel who lost their lives in the accomplishment of their duties and conveys its wishes for a speedy recovery to the 179 injured uniformed personnel in the course of MISCA’s operations. Council welcomes the organization of a ceremony to pay tribute to the MISCA uniformed personnel, on 13 September 2014, in Bangui, in the presence of the CAR authorities and representatives of the troop and police contributing countries. Council expresses its deep appreciation to the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission and Head of MISCA, General Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko, as well as to the Force Commander, General Martin Chomou Tumenta, and the Head of its Police