President Jacob Zuma has this morning, 27 August 2011, returned from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he attended the 291st Peace and Security Council meeting of the African Union (AU).
President Zuma chaired the meeting in the absence of the current Public Service Commission (PSC) chairperson, President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi, who was held up by matters of state in Burundi.
The meeting noted the developments that have taken place in Libya, and reiterated that the AU's road map to attain a political solution remained suitable to help the Libyan people to address their current crisis in their country.
"We are concerned by the security and humanitarian situation, given that heavy fighting is still going on in Libya leading to loss of life. We still believe that had the AU been allowed space to work, heavy loss of life would have been averted. From the AU point of view we want to see stability.
We believe that the AU road map is still relevant. We need inclusivity, a situation where all groups involved in the conflict sit around the table and solve the problem together. There is more than one group that claims authority and support in Libya, and a solution will need to include all of them. They must all come together and negotiate a peaceful process that will lead to the formation of an inclusive transitional government and democracy in Libya".
Once an inclusive transitional government was formed, it would be able to occupy the seat of Libya in the AU. "Article 30 of the Constitutive Act of the African Union states that governments that come to power through unconstitutional means would not be allowed to participate in the activities of the Union. We cannot act outside of that, but the road map will help the Libyans work towards the normalisation of the situation," President Zuma said.
President Zuma's reiterated the need for the world to respect the pivotal role of the African Union in resolving a crisis facing an African state, which is a member of the AU. "Any successful solution in Libya will have to be Libyan-led and African-led to ensure sustainability, credibility and legitimacy."
President Zuma was accompanied by the Minister of State Security, Dr Siyabonga Cwele.
Full communique of the 291st Meeting of the Peace and Security Council:
The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 291st meeting held on 26 August 2011, at the level of the Heads of State and Government, adopted the following decision on the situation in Libya:
Council
1. Takes note of the report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the situation in Libya and on the efforts of the African Union for a political solution to the Libyan crisis , as well as of the report of the AU High-Level ad hoc Committee on Libya.
Council further takes note of the statements made by the representatives of Tunisia and Tanzania, as well as by the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and the representative of Libya.
2. Recalls its previous communique's on the situation in Libya, and notes with deep appreciation the sustained efforts made by the ad hoc Committee and its members in pursuit of a political solution to the conflict, within the framework of the AU Roadmap and the Proposals on a Framework Agreement for a Political Solution to the Crisis in Libya, adopted by the 265th meeting of the Peace and Security Council, held on 10 March 2011, and the 17th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union, held in Malabo, from 30 June to 1 July 2011.
3. Takes note of the developments that have taken place in Libya over the past few days and expresses deep concern at the continued suffering of the Libyan people as a result of the fighting over the past five months. In this respect, Council calls for an immediate and complete cessation of hostilities, and the establishment of a credible monitoring mechanism, for a lasting peace and preservation of life.
Council further calls for the formation of an inclusive transitional Government, the establishment of a constitutional and legislative framework for the democratic transformation of Libya, as well as for support towards the organisation of elections and the national reconciliation process. Council reiterates the commitment of the AU to work with all Libyan stakeholders and support their efforts towards the stabilisation of the situation, the promotion of democracy and the reconstruction of their country, building on the relevant provisions of the AU Roadmap and Proposals.
4. Endorses the report of the meeting of the AU High-Level ad hoc Committee on Libya held on 25 August 2011, and requests the Chairperson of the Commission to take the necessary steps towards the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the ad hoc Committee (herewith attached). Council further requests the AU High-Level ad hoc Committee to actively pursue the accomplishment of the mandate entrusted to it on the basis
of the AU Roadmap.
5. Strongly reaffirms that the AU stands with the people of Libya, and encourages all the stakeholders in Libya to come together and negotiate a peaceful process that will lead to democracy.
6. Encourages the Libyan stakeholders to accelerate the process leading to the formation of an all-inclusive transitional government that would be welcome to occupy the seat of Libya in the AU.
7. Reaffirms its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and
territorial integrity of Libya. Council further reiterates the legitimacy of the aspiration of the Libyan people to democracy, respect for human and people's rights, good governance and rule of law.
8. Stresses AU's commitment to work with the United Nations, the League of Arab States, the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation, the European Union and NATO, as well as with relevant bilateral partners, to ensure a coordinated support to the Libyan people and stakeholders.
9. Expresses appreciation to all humanitarian agencies providing assistance to the needy populations and facilitating the evacuation of third-country-nationals. Council encourages the Commission to pursue the efforts initiated to facilitate the mobilisation of resources for the socio-economic reintegration of the African migrant workers who left Libya.
10. Reiterates its concerns regarding the proliferation of arms, emanating from the Libyan depots and the risk that this situation poses for regional and continental peace and stability and requests the commission to continue to work closely with the countries concerned to identify ways to address these challenges, including the early convening of a meeting to review the situation, facilitate the exchange of information and enhance coordination.
11. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
Enquiries:
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Source: The Presidency
