PSC/PR/COMM(DCXXII) Page 1 COMMUNIQUÉ The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 622nd meeting held on 6 September 2016, adopted the following decision on the Consideration of the Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on Somalia: Council, 1. Endorses the Report of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Somalia, and takes note of the briefing provided by the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission and Head of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Ambassador Francisco Caetano Madeira on the situation in Somalia. Council also takes note of the statements made by the representatives of Ethiopia, in its capacity as the Chair of the Inter‐Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), IGAD Secretariat and the United Nations (UN); 2. Condemns in the strongest possible terms, recent attacks by the terrorist group, Al Shabaab against civilians in some public places in Mogadishu and across the interim regional administrations and expresses its deepest condolence to the affected families of these recent attacks. Council re-affirms AU’s solidarity with the people and Government of Somalia and support the country towards the elimination of Al Shabaab, as well as the promotion of peace, stability and reconciliation in Somalia; 3. Commends the progress made by the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) in the conduct of the upcoming elections based on a unique political process but infused with technical election components that is expected to set the foundation for a universal suffrage by 2020. In this respect, Council endorses the 2016 election calendar as announced by the National Leadership Forum as follows: Upper House Elections (25 September); House of Representatives (24 September); Swearing in of House of Parliament members (20 October); Election of Speaker (25 October); Election of President (30 October). Council stresses the need for the adherence to these timelines and reiterates the commitment of the AU and AMISOM to support the FGS towards a credible and inclusive electoral process including the 30% representation of women in the legislative arm of government; 4. Welcomes efforts by the AU Commission and AMISOM in supporting the conduct of elections in Somalia. Council notes the conduct of an AU pre-electoral assessment to Mogadishu in July 2016, which focused on identifying the best form of technical assistance to support the elections in Somalia. On the basis of this assessment, Council requests the AU Commission to expedite the deployment of technical experts, as well as provide other relevant forms of support to AMISOM in order to assist and reinforce the mission’s capacity ahead of the elections;