The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU PSC) and the Political and Security Committee of the European Union (EU PSC) held their 4th Annual Joint Consultative Meeting in Addis Ababa, on 11 May 2011. Ambassador Lungile Christian Pepani, Chairperson of the AU PSC for May 2011, and Ambassador Olof Skoog, Permanent Chair of the EU PSC, jointly chaired the meeting, in line with the practice established since the first joint consultative meeting, held in Brussels, on 30 September 2008.
The meeting took place against the background of the series of uprisings in North Africa. The developments in North Africa offer both opportunities and challenges in the areas of security, democratization, governance, accountability and inclusive socio?economic growth to respond to the legitimate needs and expectations of people. Notably, these developments highlight the need for dialogue and coordination to facilitate joint efforts towards crisis resolution.
During the discussion on crisis situations, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions 1970 and 1973 (2011) to ensure the protection of the civilian population in Libya, in full respect of the resolutions’ provisions. In calling for an immediate end to all attacks on civilians and a credible and verifiable ceasefire, they stressed the need for future actions to continue to be based on these two resolutions. They expressed serious concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country, and called for full compliance with human rights and International Humanitarian Law.
Concerned also by the heavy humanitarian and security impact of the current situation on the region and beyond, the meeting recognised the EU’s humanitarian efforts and those of Libya’s African neighbours. The meeting affirmed the need for co?ordinated international efforts to support the legitimate aspirations of the Libyan people in finding a peaceful and democratic political solution. In this respect, the two sides recognised the fact that the AU Roadmap, as already presented to the Libyan parties, by the AU High?Level Ad?hoc Committee on Libya, offers key components. They agreed to continue their efforts, in support of the UN and in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1973(2011), which acknowledges the role of the AU High?Level Ad hoc Committee, towards a political solution to the crisis, including in view of the upcoming meeting of the UN, the AU, the EU, the League of Arab States and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).
Concerning Côte d’Ivoire, both sides welcomed their common approach and cooperation, and congratulated the legitimately?elected President, Alassane Dramane Ouattara, who has since assumed state power in his country. They stressed the importance of supporting the authorities in mobilising support and resources for post?conflict reconstruction and development, justice and reconciliation in the country, and called for an inclusive political dialogue.
Regarding Sudan, the two sides welcomed the successful referendum conducted in South Sudan in January 2011, and lauded the crucial role being played by the AU High?Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) for Sudan. They looked forward to the emergence of two viable states, on 9 July 2011, that would live side by side in peace and good neighbourliness, as well as address common challenges. The two sides further underlined the need to work together with the UN and other international partners in accompanying the two states to emerge and to provide necessary support in this regard. In this context, they called for respect of the rights of women and enhanced protection and participation of women in conflict resolution. They recognised that the full implementation of the CPA will require continued engagement of the AU, the EU and the rest of the international community, and urged both parties to effectively resolve the remaining CPA issues, particularly those relating to the North?South border and Abyei, the Popular Consultations in Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan, as well as post?referendum issues and the humanitarian situation. They deeply regretted the recent violence and loss of life in Abyei, and called on both Parties to desist from taking any unilateral actions. They emphasised the importance of reaching an inclusive and comprehensive solution in Darfur, based on a positive outcome of the Doha peace talks and the Darfur Political Process to be held in conducive conditions, and saluted the efforts of the African? United Nations Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).
Both sides expressed serious concern with the situation in Somalia. They urged the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs), namely the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP), to take advantage of the gains already made, with the support of AMISOM, and to ensure progress towards peace and reconciliation by, among other aspects, putting an end to wrangling among the TFIs, and to implement rapidly a political programme of action, in view of the impending end to the transition. They paid tribute to the courage and commitment of the AMISOM troops and fully supported its strengthening in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1964 (2010), including flexible and predicable funding. They also paid tribute to the AMISOM troop contributing countries, namely Burundi and Uganda, and to the substantial EU contribution in supporting AMISOM and the training of Somali soldiers by EUTM Somalia.
The two sides discussed developments in the areas of maritime safety and security (MSS). They welcomed the African efforts in establishing a continental framework for an African Integrated Maritime Safety and Security Strategy and the EU initiatives, including, inter alia, operation Atalanta. They called for intensifying the AU?EU dialogue on the full range of issues and challenges related to maritime safety and security.
On transnational security threats, the two sides recognised that this includes phenomena affecting both continents, thus requiring a coordinated effort to tackle them. They exchanged views on drug control, crime prevention, human trafficking and the fight against terrorism. They agreed to strengthen the EU?AU joint efforts in assisting the countries most affected by security and development challenges, including cooperation on counter?terrorism efforts, in particular those in the Sahelo?Saharan region, given the latest developments in North Africa, which increase the risk of the proliferation of arms and related aspects. They looked forward to forthcoming AU?EU consultations in the framework of the development and implementation of an EU strategy for security and development in the Sahel and of the relevant AU instruments.
The two sides agreed to continue working towards the improvement of their joint working methods. Among the improvements realized, thus far, the two sides welcomed the AU and EU participation in each others' PSC meetings and the establishment of regular contacts between the Permanent Chair of the EU PSC and the Chairperson of the AU PSC. These gains will contribute to enhanced coordination in situations of security and governance crises. Citing the situations occurring in North Africa, the AU PSC and the EU PSC stressed the need, whenever and wherever similar situations emerge, for close consultation and coordination of initiatives between the AU and the EU, in order to maximise the chances of a common approach. In this respect, both sides recognised the importance of the lessons, for both continents, from the events unfolding in North Africa. They underscored the need to cooperate in building appropriate responses to such situations, wherever they occur in the continent.
Finally, both sides agreed to meet, again, in Brussels, in 2012.
