Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1158^th meeting held on 15 June 2023, on “Updated Briefing on the Situation in the Horn of Africa”.

The Peace and Security Council,

Recalling its previous decisions and pronouncements on the Situation in the Horn of Africa, particularly Communique [PSC/PR/COMM.1097 (2023)] adopted at its 1097^th meeting held on 4 August 2022 on Updated Briefing on the Situation in the Horn of Africa; Press Statement [PSC/PR/PS.1115 (2022)] adopted at its 1115^th meeting held on 21 October 2022, on the AU-led Peace Process for Ethiopia; Communique [PSC/PR/COMM.1120.2 (2022)], adopted at its 1120^th meeting held on 9 November 2022 on the Briefing on the Agreement for Lasting Peace through Permanent Cessation of Hostilities between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF); Communique [PSC/PR/COMM.1143 (2023)], adopted at its 1143^rd meeting held on 7 March 2023 on Updated Briefing on the Situation in Somalia and the Operations of the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS); Communique [PSC/PR/COMM.1141 (2023)] adopted at its 1141^st meeting held on 28 February 2023 on Consideration of the Report of the Field Mission to South Sudan conducted from 22 to 25 February 2023; and Communique [PSC/HoSG/COMM.1156 (2023)] adopted  at its 1156^th meeting held on 27 May 2023 at the level of Heads of State and  Government  on the Situation in Sudan, respectively; 

Noting the opening statement by H.E. Ambassador Sophia Nyamudeza, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Zimbabwe to the African Union and Chairperson of the PSC for the month of June 2023; the remarks by H.E Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, as well as the Update Briefing by H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa; also noting the statements delivered by the Permanent Representative of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the AU, H.E. Ambassador Ayele Lire; the representative of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD); the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa; and  the  Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to the AU;

Reaffirming its commitment to respect the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Republic of South Sudan and The Sudan;

Determined to completely silence the guns in Africa by the year 2030 and create conducive conditions for the realization of the AU Vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena; as well as the aspirations of AU Agenda 2063; and

Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council:

On Northern Ethiopia:

1.  Commends the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) for their continued efforts to peacefully resolve the conflict; and encourages them to ensure the full implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) signed in Pretoria, South Africa, on 2 November 2022, in order to consolidate the dividend of peace;

2.  Also commends the AU for the deployment of the Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mechanism (MVCM) in Tigray on 29 December 2022 to monitor compliance of the parties towards the implementation of the COHA; 

3.  Endorses the extension of the deployment of the Mechanism until 31 December 2023, in order to facilitate the consolidation of the gains made, thus far, and the current momentum in the implementation of the COHA; and commends the Member States that continue to support deployment of the Mechanism;

4.  Requests the AU Commission to undertake a needs assessment for the extension of the deployment of the MVCM paying particular attention on the timelines and funding requirements to avoid its premature withdrawal;

5.  Underscores the importance of ensuring effective Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR), as well as the importance of effectively addressing the scourge of illicit proliferation and circulation of small arms and light weapons;

6.  Takes note, with deep concern, of the suspension of food aid, by the World Food Programme and USAID on allegations of diversions for commercial purposes; welcomes the efforts by the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the Interim Regional Administration of Tigray to investigate the allegations; and strongly appeals to both, the USAID and WFP, to reconsider their decision in order to address the food security crisis facing the population of the Tigray region and the country as a whole;

7.  Appeals to the international partners to support Ethiopia’s efforts towards effective recovery and reconstruction of the Tigray region and the neighboring regions;

8.  Commends the tireless efforts of the High-Level Panel, led and facilitated by H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa, and comprising H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, former President of the Republic of Kenya and H.E. Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa and Member of the AU Panel of the Wise;  and reaffirms the commitment of Council to continue supporting the work of the High-Level Panel; and

9.  Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

On Somalia:

10.  Welcomes the progress made thus far, by the Federal Government of Somalia in implementing the Somali Transition Plan, including the improved relations with the Federal Member States and the ongoing consultations with clan leaders on electoral reforms and in this regard, commends President Hassan Sheikh Mohamed for his leadership, dedication and personal commitment to address the challenges facing Somalia;

11.  Strongly condemns the recent wave of barbaric attacks by the Al-Shabaab terrorist group against civilians, AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) troops and symbols of the Federal Government, including the Somali Security Forces and, in this context, expresses condolences to the immediate families of the deceased and, in particular, to the Government of the Republic of Uganda, for the tragic loss of its peacekeepers and wishes speedy recovery to all those sustaining injuries from the attacks; 

12.  Pays tribute to all ATMIS troop and police contributing countries (T/PCCs) and to all ATMIS men and women for their continued sacrifices in particularly difficult circumstances;

13.  Takes note of the progress in the ongoing process of drawdown of 2,000 ATMIS troops by end of June 2023; and encourages the Federal Government of Somalia to expedite the force generation programme in order to ensure the preservation of the gains registered thus far and the maintenance of the momentum in the fight against Al-Shabaab; 

14.  Also takes note of the institutional capacity challenges facing the Federal Government of Somalia and the ATMIS and reaffirms the AU commitment to spare no effort in mobilizing the necessary support in favor of ATMIS;

15.  Emphasizes the importance of sustained support in favor of the Federal Government of Somalia including the need for the international community to reconsider the decision on arms embargo imposed against Somalia, in order to facilitate the effective implementation of the Somali Transition Plan; and

16.  Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

 On South Sudan:

17.  Takes note of the progress made thus far, by the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) in the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS)  and strongly encourages the R-TGoNU to expedite the implementation of all outstanding transitional tasks within the remaining time, including the graduation and deployment of Necessary Unified Forces;  completion of the permanent constitution making process; Enactment of the National Electoral Commission Act and  reconstitution of the  National Electoral Commission  and Political Parties Council; 

18.  Commends the authorities of South Sudan, particularly H.E. President Salva Kirr Mayardit and Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, for their leadership and commitment to facilitate a successful Transition and to end the suffering of the people of South Sudan;

19.  Encourages the parties to the R-ARCSS to continue to prioritize dialogue in addressing any differences they may have; and requests the AU Commission to continue to provide required technical support to ensure the successful implementation of the R-ARCSS;

20.  Commends the efforts of AU High-Level Ad Hoc Committee of five countries from the five regions of the AU (C5) on South Sudan and encourages the Committee to remain actively engaged in South Sudan while emphasizing that both AU and IGAD should remain seized in South Sudan;

21.  Also commends the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Verification Committee for its work, takes note of the institutional capacity challenges being faced; and undertakes to continue deploying necessary efforts in mobilizing the required support for the Committee;

22.  Appeals to the international community for reconsideration of the decision on arms embargoes imposed against South Sudan, in order to facilitate the successful implementation of the R-ARCSS particularly those relating to Chapter 2; and

23.  Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

On Sudan:

24.  Expresses deep concern over the continued escalation of the security situation in Sudan due to the ongoing fight between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, which has resulted in an unprecedented dire humanitarian situation and serious impact on women and children;
 
25.  Strongly condemns the violations of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law and warns the perpetrators that they will be held to account for their actions; 
 
26.  Commends and fully supports the efforts being deployed by IGAD in addressing the conflict in Sudan and, in this respect, welcomes and endorses the Final Communique of the 14^th Ordinary Session of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government held on 12 June 2023 in Djibouti, the Republic of Djibouti, particularly, the adoption of a Roadmap for the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of Sudan;
 
27.  Demands unconditional and immediate cessation of hostilities and demilitarization of Khartoum, as well as the establishment of humanitarian corridors, in order to facilitate delivery of humanitarian aid to the population in need;
 
28.  Calls for the commencement of a broader political process that brings together all key stakeholders addressing the challenges facing the country and underscores the centrality of genuine and inclusive dialogue as the only viable approach towards reaching a sustainable solution to the challenges facing the country;
 
29.  Commends the efforts being deployed by the Core Group of the Expanded Mechanism under the leadership of the AU and looks forward to the outcome of the regional tour by the AU High Representative for Silencing the Guns aiming at finding a durable solution to the conflict in Sudan;
 
30.  Commends all neighbors of Sudan receiving and hosting refugees fleeing from Sudan and, in this regard, appeals to all Member States in a position to do so, as well as to the international partners for necessary support; and
 
31.  Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

COMMENTS