The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 165th meeting held on 29 December 2008, adopted the following decision on the situation in the Republic of Guinea following the coup d’Etat that occurred in that country on Wednesday 24 December 2008:

Council:

1. Takes note of the update of the Commission on the situation in the Republic of Guinea, following the coup d’Etat that took place in that country, and the visit to Guinea undertaken by the Chairperson of the Commission on 26 December 2008;

2. Recalls decision PSC/PR/Comm(CLXIV) on the situation in the Republic of Guinea, adopted at its 164th meeting held on 24 December 2008, and reiterates its firm condemnation of the coup d’Etat in that country, which is a flagrant violation of the Constitution of Guinea and of the relevant AU instruments, as well as its demand for the return to constitutional order;

3. Decides to suspend the participation of Guinea in the activities of the AU until the return to constitutional order in that country, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the AU Constitutive Act and the Lome Declaration of July 2000 on unconstitutional changes of Government. In addition, Council reaffirms its determination to take, in due course, all other measures prescribed in the Lome Declaration to accelerate the return to constitutional order;

4. Welcomes the present coordination between the AU and ECOWAS and urges the Chairperson of the Commission to pursue, in close coordination with the countries of the region, the efforts he has already initiated, including the contacts with the perpetrators of the coup d’Etat, for the rapid return to constitutional order;

5. Decides to remain seized of the matter.