PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL
81ST MEETING
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
PSC/PR/Comm(LXXXI)
THE Palipehutu-FNL of Agathon Rwasa
The Peace and Security Council of the African Union, at its 81st meeting held on 20 July 2007, adopted the following Communiqué on the implementation of the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement of 7 September 2006 between the Government of the Republic of Burundi and the Palipehutu-FNL of Agathon Rwasa:
Council,
1. Takes note of the Information Note on the status of implementation of the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement of 7 September 2006 between the Government of the Republic of Burundi and the Palipehutu-FNL of Agathon Rwasa [PSC/PR/2 (LXXXI)] and the briefing of the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission in Burundi on the general situation in this country;
2. Welcomes the measures taken by the Commission and the Facilitation with a view to supporting the implementation of the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement, including the deployment of the AU Special Task Force and AU military observers. In this regard, Council expresses gratitude to the United Nations, the AU Member States, and in particular, South Africa, for their contribution to the implementation of the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement;
3. Notes with satisfaction the outcome of the Dar-es-Salaam Meeting of 17 June 2007 between President Pierre Nkurunziza and the leader of the Palipehutu-FNL, Agathon Rwasa and commends the continuation of a permanent channel of communication between the two leaders. Council expresses gratitude to the Regional Initiative, in particular to the President of the United Republic of Tanzania for his assistance;
4. Expresses its concern over the delays in the implementation of the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement and the recurring difficulties encountered in this regard. Council calls upon the parties to honor their obligations and commitments with a view to accelerating the implementation of the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement which should be concluded at the latest by December 2007;
5. Notes with concern the danger of institutional stalemate in Burundi and encourages the Government of Burundi, the political opposition and all other parties to work together for unity and reconciliation. Council further encourages the Burundian authorities and the political opposition to work together to put an end to the political crisis through a frank dialogue;
6. Emphasizes the role of socio-economic development in enhancing the peace process in Burundi and calls upon the international community to provide the necessary assistance to the people of Burundi. In this respect, Council also calls on the donor community to honor their pledges with a view to facilitating post-conflict reconstruction in Burundi;
7. Pays tribute to the Chairperson of the Commission and his Special Representative in Burundi for their unrelenting efforts towards the improvement of the political climate and the completion of the peace process;
8. Decides to remain seized of the matter.