ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 11, 2016/APO (African Press Organization)/ —
The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 593rd meeting, held on 26 April 2016, adopted the following decision on the Commission’s efforts on post-conflict reconstruction and development (PCRD) in Africa:
1. Takes note of the Second Progress Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the African Union’s Efforts on Post-conflict Reconstruction and Development in Africa submitted to Council pursuant Assembly Decision [Assembly/AU/Dec.408 (XVIII)], adopted at its 18th Ordinary Session held in Addis Ababa, on 30 and 31January 2012, which stressed the need for renewed efforts towards PCRD in order to consolidate peace wherever it has been achieved on the continent. Council also takes note of the statement made by the Commission and by the representative of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern African States (COMESA);
2. Recalls all its previous decisions on PCRD, in particular communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM(CCCLII)] adopted at its 352nd meeting held on 13 January 2013 and Press Statement [PSC/PR/BR(DXXVIII)], adopted at its 528th meeting held on 30 July 2015;
3. Commends the Commission for the PCRD efforts it continues to deploy in support of Member States emerging from violent conflicts and crises with a view to preventing relapses, as well as promoting recovery and building resilience;
4. Stresses the importance of reactivating the PSC Sub-Committee on PCRD, with a view to providing the necessary political leadership and oversight on the implementation of PCRD activities throughout the continent. In this context, Council emphasizes the need to develop formal linkages between the PSC Sub-Committee on PCRD and the UN Peace Building Commission, to enhance coordination and synergy between African and UN-led PCRD efforts;
5. Reiterates the need for the Commission to scale up its engagement with the Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution (RECs/RMs) with a view to developing appropriate PCRD programmes and implementation mechanisms, as well as supporting post-conflict Member States in establishing their own appropriate national follow-up mechanisms;
6. Emphasizes the importance of addressing all PCRD issues in a holistic manner, including those relating to trauma and other psycho-social needs of victims of violent conflicts particularly women, children and other vulnerable groups;
7. Notes with concern the resource constraints being faced by the Commission in discharging its mandate in the area of PCRD. In this regard, Council underscores the need for a percentage of the AU Peace Fund to be dedicated to support PCRD activities on the continent and reaffirms the need to mobilize additional resources, from within the continent, in support of the African Solidarity Initiative (ASI);
8. Notes with deep concern that the pledges made during the ASI Pledging Conference, held in Addis Ababa, on 1 February 2014, have not yet been honoured. In this respect, Council urges the Commission to take necessary follow-up steps with a view to ensuring that the pledges are redeemed;
9. Requests the Commission to ensure that it addresses PCRD issues in a holistic manner in order to achieve sustainable solutions to challenges faced by post-conflict communities. In this context, Council looks forward to the operationalization within the Commission of an Interdepartmental Task Force on PCRD;
10. Also looks forward to the outcome of the ongoing bi-lateral consultations between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Republic of Uganda regarding the establishment of the AU PCRD Centre;
11. Reiterates its request to the Commission to undertake a comprehensive review of the AU PCRD architecture and submit a report to Council in October 2016, including on steps taken by the Commission in implementing Council’s decisions on PCRD;
12. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
