Communiqué of the AU PSC on the implementation of the Regional Cooperation Initiative for the Elimination of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA)

By African Union Commission (AUC)
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Communiqu of the AU PSC on the implementation of the Regional Cooperation Initiative for the Elimination of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA)

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, June 18, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 380th meeting, held on 17 June 2013, adopted the following decision on the implementation of the Regional Cooperation Initiative for the Elimination of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA):

Council,


Takes note of the report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the implementation of the Regional Cooperation Initiative for the Elimination of the Lord's Resistance Army [PSC/PR/3.(CCCLXXX)] and the briefing made by the Commissioner for Peace and Security, as well as of the statements made by the representatives of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan and Uganda, as member countries of the RCI-LRA, and Rwanda. Council also takes note of the statements made by the representatives of the European Union (EU), the United Nations (UN) and the United States;


Welcomes the progress made in the implementation of the RCI-LRA, notably the operationalization of the various components of the Initiative and the generation of troops for the Regional Task Force (RTF), as well as the increasing military pressure being exerted on the group, which led to the capture of key commanders and the surrender of a number of its elements;


Commends the member countries of the RCI-LRA and the Commission for their efforts, notes with satisfaction the close collaboration and coordination between the AU Special Envoy for the LRA Issue, Francisco Madeira, and the UN Special Representative for Central Africa and Head of the UN Office in Central Africa (UNOCA), Abou Moussa, and the adoption of the UN Regional Strategy to address the threat and impact of the activities of the LRA, and expresses gratitude to the partners extending support to the implementation of the RCI-LRA, notably the EU, the UN and the US;


Expresses deep concern at the aggravation of the negative impact of the illegal seizure of power in the CAR on the operations of the RCI-LRA in that country, as well as at the continued provocations by elements of the Seleka rebellion against the RTF contingent in the Obo sector, and notes that this situation is creating space for the LRA to regenerate its forces and intensify its attacks against the civilian populations. Council reiterates its demand for the de facto CAR authorities to comply scrupulously with CAR's international commitments under the RCI-LRA and facilitate the resumption of counter-LRA operations in the CAR. Council warns all those impeding the implementation of the mandate of the RCI-LRA in the CAR, and stresses that they will be held accountable for their actions;


Notes the continued threat posed by the LRA and the need for the pursuit of the ongoing efforts under the RCI-LRA to address this situation. Accordingly, Council decides to renew the mandate of the RCI-LRA for one additional year, until 22 May 2014;


Calls on the concerned countries of the RCI-LRA to take steps to provide the required logistical support to their contingents, as agreed during the 3rd meeting of the Joint Coordination Mechanism (JCM), held in Addis Ababa, on 24 April 2013;


Reiterates its appeal to the AU Member States and partners to strengthen their support to the RCI-LRA and, in this respect, welcomes the efforts being exerted by the Commission, notably the convening of the 1st Support Forum for the RCI-LRA, in Addis Ababa, on 24 April 2013. Council calls on the United Nations Security Council to take the necessary steps to facilitate the provision of enhanced support to the RCI-LRA, including the RTF headquarters and the operational Sectors, by the concerned UN peacekeeping missions and offices. Council requests the Chairperson of the Commission to actively follow-up on this matter;


Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.