meeting
18 October 2006
The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union, at its 64th
meeting held on 17 October 2006, at the level of Heads of State and Government
adopted the following decision on the situation in C�te d'Ivoire.
The council,
1. Recalls decision PSC/AHG/COMM(XL) adopted at its 40th meeting held on 6
October 2005, which stipulates that the arrangements agreed upon in the Linas
Marcoussis Agreement of 23 January 2003 shall continue from 31 August 2005 for
a period not exceeding 12 months, as well as resolution 1633 (2005) adopted by
the United Nations Security Council on 21 October 2005.
2. Takes note with satisfaction of the efforts made by all the Ivorian
leaders with a view to restoring confidence between the parties concerned and
urges them to pursue their efforts.
3. Reiterates its concern over the persistence of the crisis in C�te
d'Ivoire and the dangers it poses to the unity of that country and the cohesion
of its social fabric, as well as to peace and stability in the West African
region.
4. Reaffirms the commitment of the African Union to the respect of the
sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of C�te d'Ivoire, in
conformity with the relevant principles enshrined in the Constitutive Act of
the African Union, as well as the imperative need for the speedy reunification
of C�te d'Ivoire. The Council also reaffirms the commitment of the African
Union to the peaceful settlement of disputes and its total rejection of the use
of force, as well as of any unconstitutional change of government.
5. Pays tribute to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
and the leaders of the region for their relentless efforts to promote peace and
reconciliation in C�te d'Ivoire.
6. Pays tribute also the United Nations for its invaluable contribution to
the search for peace and stability in C�te d'Ivoire, in particular through the
role being played by the United Nations Operation in C�te d'Ivoire (UNOCI), and
welcomes the personal and continued involvement of the Secretary-General, Kofi
Annan, and his commitment to the restoration of peace in C�te d'Ivoire.
7. Further pays tribute to President Thabo Mbeki of the Republic of South
Africa for the untiring efforts he has deployed in the service of peace and
reconciliation in C�te d'Ivoire, as well as the numerous initiatives he has
taken to move forward the peace process, in his capacity as African Union
Mediator, driven by his deep commitment to finding African solutions to African
problems.
8. Commends President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo,
Chairperson of the African Union, for his tireless efforts and for the
initiatives he has taken to support the peace process in C�te d'Ivoire and to
assist in overcoming the obstacles encountered in its implementation.
9. Expresses its appreciation for the work done by the International Working
Group (IWG) since its establishment, in conformity with decision PSC/AHG/Comm
(XL) and resolution 1633 (2005).
10. Takes note of the communiqu� issued following the 10th meeting of the
IWG, held in Abidjan, on 8 September 2006, in which the latter expressed its
serious concern about the deep and persistent obstacles to the implementation
of the decisions adopted by the meeting at the main Ivorian political leaders
held in Yamoussoukro, on 5 July 2006, and of the roadmap elaborated by the IWG
and adopted by the Ivorian Government during the Seminar held in Yamoussoukro
from 9 to 11 February 2006, noted the causes of these impediments, and stressed
that, given the prevailing situation, it was impossible to meet the deadlines
set by resolution 1633 (2005) and that, consequently, it was imperative to
define a new transitional framework that can provide a remedy to the causes of
the deadlock that have been identified.
11. Endorses the observation of the ECOWAS Extraordinary Summit of Heads of
State and Government, held in Abuja, on 6 October 2006, on the expiration of
the transitional period of 12 months set by decision PSC/AHG/Comm (XL) and
resolution 1633 (2005), and on the impossibility of organising presidential
elections on the scheduled date.
12. Takes note of the recommendations made by the ECOWAS Extraordinary
Summit of Heads of State and Government on the management of the post 31
October 2006 period.
13. Decides, accordingly that a new transition period not exceeding 12
months shall be established commencing form 1 November 2006, to complete the
following tasks:
* identification and registration of voters
* Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration (DDR) and restructuring of the
Defence and Security Forces
* dismantling of the militias
* restoration of State authority throughout the territory of C�te
d'Ivoire
* the technical preparation for elections.
14. Decides further that during this transition period, the following
modalities shall apply:
* President Gbagbo shall remain Head of State until the end of the
transition period.
* the Prime Minister of the transition, Charles Konan Banny, shall have all the
necessary powers and means to implement the following activities:
- the disarmament programme
- the identification process
- the dismantling of the militias
- the restoration of State authority throughout the country
- electoral issues
- the redeployment of the administration and public services
- throughout the territory of C�te d'Ivoire
* The Prime Minister shall also have the necessary authority over all the
integrated Ivorian defence and security forces to enable him to carry out the
tasks assigned to him.
* As provided for in decision PSC/AHG/Comm(XL) and resolution 1633 (2005), the
Minister shall be accountable to the Prime Minister, who shall have full
authority over his cabinet.
* In the accomplishment of the mission of the government, the Council of
Ministers may, in all matters, take decisions by ordinances or decrees. In
particular, the Council of Ministers may adopt, by ordinance, appropriate
practical measures within the spirit of the law to speed up the processes of
issuing duplicates of birth certificates and certificates of nationality.
* As provided for by decision PSC/AHG/Comm(XL) and resolution 1633 (2005), the
Prime Minister shall not, in accordance with the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement, be
eligible to stand for the elections to be organised on 31 October 2007, at the
latest.
15. Decides to accept the request of President Thabo Mbeki for South Africa
to hand over the role of Mediation, following its election to the United
Nations Security Council. The Council reaffirms that the African Union will
continue to call upon the leadership of President Mbeki in the resolution of
the Ivorian crisis. The Council congratulates South Africa for its election to
the United Nations Security Council and expresses confidence that South Africa
will continue to support the resolution of the various African conflicts and
strive towards world peace and security.
16. Decides to entrust the pursuit of the mediation to President Denis
Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo in his capacity as Chair of the African
Union, in liaison with the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union
and the Executive Secretariat of ECOWAS and, as the need may arise, in liaison
with any other African leader willing to make a contribution to the search for
peace in Cote d'Ivoire. The Council further decides that the representative of
the African Union mediator shall lead the day to day mediation in Cote
d'Ivoire, in conformity with decision PSC/AHG/Comm (XL).
17. Reaffirms the centrality of DDR to the peace process and calls for its
immediate completion as well as for the completion of the disarmament and
dismantling of the militias, which should run concurrently with identification
of citizens. The Council invites the Ivorian authorities to commence security
sector reform that would establish a unified force structure and which would
reinforce the republican and neutral character of the forces.
18. Agrees on the need to organise seminars on security sector reform by the
African Union and ECOWAS in collaboration with partners and with the
participation of commanding and senior officers from West African countries
emerging from conflict. These seminars will examine, among other issues, the
principles of civilian control of armed forces and personal and individual
responsibility for acts of impunity or violation of human rights.
19. Reaffirms its support to the impartial forces, namely, United Nations
Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (ONUCI) and the forces of Operation Licorne that
supports it, and calls for an enhanced mandate for the impartial forces,
particularly in the provision of security for high-ranking government
personalities and in the maintenance of law and order for the holding of free,
transparent, open and fair elections.
20. Underscores the need for the High Representative for Elections (HRE) to
wok closely with the Prime Minister and the Independent Electoral Commission
(IEC) to ensure effective and timely preparation of the elections. The Council
encourages the Office of the HRE to play a greater role in the resolution of
disputes linked to the electoral process, or issues arising out of the
procedure and processes to be adopted to ensure free, transparent, open and
fair elections at the end of the transition period.
21. Urges all Ivorian parties to exercise maximum restraint, work together
to overcome the current stalemate and refrain from any unilateral action during
the transition period.
22. Stresses the crucial importance of the active involvement of the civil
society in the peace process. In this respect, the Council urges the Ivorian
Government to encourage and facilitate the participation of the civil society
in the peace process, and requests the Commission of the African Union and the
ECOWAS Executive Secretariat to support all efforts deployed to that end.
23. Reminds the Ivorian authorities of their responsibility for the safety
and security of persons and property of all ECOWAS and third country citizens
in Cote d'Ivoire.
24. Urges the Government to ensure the speedy adoption and implementation of
the Code of Conduct for the media as agreed in Yamoussoukro on 5 July 2006.
25. Reaffirms its support to individual measures provided for in paragraphs
9 and 11 of the United Nations Security Council resolution 1572 (2004) of 15
November 2004 and subsequent resolutions relating to the commitments made by
the Ivorian parties, and calls on the United Nations Security Council to take
appropriate measures, including sanctions, against individuals or groups whose
conduct either by commission or omission, impedes or disrupts the
implementation of the peace process and relevant United Nations Security
Council Resolutions on Cote d'Ivoire.
26. Urges the United Nations to take appropriate measure with a view to the
effective implementation of the arms embargo on Cote d'Ivoire in conformity
with resolution 1572 (2004) and to ensure that those who violate the embargo
are severely punished.
27. Decides to submit this decision to the United Nations Security Council
to enlist its support and to this effect, requests the Chairperson of the
Commission of the African Union to take all necessary steps.
28. Decides to remain seized of the matter.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
18 October 2006
Source: SAPA