PSC/PR/Comm(LXIX) Page 1 COMMUNIQUE OF THE 69th MEETING OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL The Peace and Security Council of the African Union, at its 69th meeting held on 19 January 2007, adopted the following decision on the situation in Somalia and the deployment of an AU peace support mission in that country: Council, 1. Takes note of the Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the situation in Somalia [PSC/PR/2(LXIX)] and the recommendations made by the Military Staff Committee on the proposed deployment of an African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM); 2. Welcomes the outcome of the AU technical evaluation mission that undertook, from 13 to 15 January 2007, consultations in Mogadishu with the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia on the planned deployment of a peace support mission in that country; 3. Recalls its previous decisions on the deployment of a peace support mission in Somalia as well as resolution 1725 (2006) adopted by the UN Security Council on 6 December 2006, regarding the deployment of a peace support mission in Somalia and the modification effected on the arms embargo imposed on Somalia by resolution 733 (1992), to facilitate the deployment of such a mission; 4. Reiterates its commitment to the unity, sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Somalia; 5. Reiterates its conviction that, following the recent developments that have enabled the TFG to take over Mogadishu and take control of the country, there exists today a unique and unprecedented opportunity to restore structures of governance in Somalia and bring about lasting peace and reconciliation, which the Somali people, their leaders and the international community as a whole should seize; 6. Stresses the need on the part of the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) to embark on an all-inclusive and genuine process of dialogue and reconciliation within the framework of the Transitional Federal Charter. Council welcomes the stated commitment of the leaders of the TFG to dialogue and reconciliation, and encourages the TFG to pursue its ongoing efforts with a view to reaching out to all segments of the population. Council also encourages the Chairperson of the Commission to take all necessary steps to assist this process and to ensure that the AU plays a leading role in this respect; 7. Further stresses the critical role of the countries of the region in the overall efforts aimed at bringing about lasting peace and reconciliation in Somalia and strongly appeals to them to demonstrate the necessary cohesion in support of the TFIs and their efforts;