Communique of the 1212th Meeting of the PSC held on 20 May 2024, on the Updated Briefing on the political transition in Burkina Faso, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, and Niger-African Union - Peace and Security Department (2024)

Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1212^th meeting held on 20 May 2024, on the Updated Briefing on the political transition in Burkina Faso, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, and Niger

The Peace and Security Council,

Recalling Assembly Decision [Assembly/AU/Dec.868(XXXVII)] adopted by the 37^th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union held on 17-18 February 2024, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, calling on the Transitional Authorities to engage in dialogue with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to foster Africa’s integration agenda consistent with AU Agenda 2063, and strongly urging the Transition Authorities to ensure the implementation of the transition calendar towards an expeditious return to constitutional order, as well as calling for a swift return to constitutional order in Gabon and stressing the need for the Transitional Authorities to ensure conducive conditions for the inclusive dialogue;

Also recalling Declaration [Ext/Assembly/AU/Decl.(XVI)] on Terrorism and Unconstitutional Changes of Government, adopted by the 16^th Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, from 27 to 28 May 2022;

Further recalling all its previous decisions and pronouncements on the political transition in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Gabon, particularly Communiqués [PSC/PR/COMM.1180.1 (2023)] and [PSC/PR/COMM.1180.2 (2023)] adopted at its 1180^th meeting held on 23 October 2023, Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.1116.2 (2022)] adopted at its 1116^th meeting held on 31 October 2022; and Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.1106 (2022)] adopted at its 1106^th meeting held on 19 September 2022;

Faithful to the implementation of the AU Constitutive Act and the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union;

Reaffirming the AU Zero tolerance policy towards any forms of unconstitutional changes of government in line with Article 4(p) of the AU Constitutive Act;

Also reaffirming the determination of Council to silence the guns in Africa by the year 2030, with a view to creating conducive conditions for the realization of the AU Vision of an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa, driven by its people and representing a dynamic force in the global arena, as well as AU Agenda 2063;

Noting the opening remarks by Ambassador Rebecca Amuge Otengo, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Uganda, standing in for H.E. Ambassador Innocent Shiyo, Permanent Representative of the United Republic of Tanzania to the AU and the Chairperson of the PSC for May 2024, and the statement by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security; as well as the statements by the representatives of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS);

Reaffirming the commitment of the AU to respect the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of its Member States and the Union’s solidarity with the Member States in political transition in their legitimate aspiration for peace, security and stability; further reaffirming the unwavering commitment of the AU to accompany all Member States in political transition to restore constitutional order in accordance with the normative instruments of the Union; and

Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council:

1.Expresses deep concerns over the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government and extended political transition processes;

2.Takes note of the Communique of the Extraordinary Summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State, adopted on 24 February 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria; further takes note, with concern, of the decision by Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to withdraw from ECOWAS, and, encourages them to reconsider their decision, in order to foster regional integration; calls for the resumption of dialogue and mediation between ECOWAS and Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, with a view to promoting expeditious implementation of the Transition Roadmaps and Calendars, in the respective countries, towards the restoration of constitutional order;

3.Also takes note of the Communique of the 24^th Ordinary Session of the Conference of the Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) adopted on 09 March 2024, in Sipopo, Equatorial Guinea, and the 5^th Extraordinary Session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of ECCAS within the framework of the Central African Peace and Security Council (COPAX) held on 15 December 2023, in Djibloho, Equatorial Guinea;

4. Expresses concern over the shrinking political and civic spaces within some countries in political transition, especially the ban on the activities of political parties, associations, civil society organizations and repression of media activities;

5.Calls on the transitional authorities to place the supreme interests of their respective countries and their people above all else, and to ensure the strict implementation of their respective transition roadmaps, within the agreed timelines, and to operationalize the Joint Transition Monitoring Committees in the respective countries; as well as to ensure inclusive and transparent transition processes;

6.Reiterates its position regarding the ineligibility of the members of the Transitional Authorities in election process to mark the end of the Transitions, in line with the provisions of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG);

7. Notes, with concern, the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel region due to the activities of terrorist and insurgent groups, and the attendant dire humanitarian situation; commends the efforts being deployed by the Transitional Authorities and emphasizes the need for holistic solutions to the structural root causes and drivers of terrorism in the region; in the same vein, calls upon the Commission, the international community and the Member States in a position to do so, to support the efforts of the Governments in the countries in transition through the provision of humanitarian assistance;

8. Emphasizes that preventive measures in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism in the Sahel remain central; urges for a synergy of international and regional efforts towards effectively combatting terrorism and violent extremism, premised on the 1999 Organization of African Unity (OAU) Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism and related AU normative frameworks;

9. Appeals to the international community to extend requisite support to the Countries in political transition; urges all multilateral stakeholders to adapt their engagement strategy to reflect current realities and priorities, especially towards the efficient and qualitative delivery of services;

10.Requests the AU Commission to undertake the following:

i. Expeditiously take requisite steps in ensuring the deployment of a high-level mediation mission to Niger, to engage with the Transitional Authorities, with a view to establishing a transition roadmap in line with national and regional dispositions;

ii. In consultation with the concerned countries and working closely with existing Partners, mobilize requisite political, technical, financial, and humanitarian and stabilization support aimed at accompanying the referred countries in political transition towards restoration of stability, democratic governance and constitutional order;

iii. Facilitate sharing of information and cooperation within the framework of the Nouakchott and Djibouti Processes, as well as the Accra Initiative, to enhance collective security in the Sahel region;

iv. Continue working in collaboration with the respective transitional governments, including in mobilizing the Africa Facility to Support Inclusive Transitions (AFSIT) to ensure a timely return to constitutional order;

v. Provide requisite technical support, upon request, including in the drawing up of a new Constitution and preparations towards the organisation of free, credible and transparent democratic elections;

vi. Use the Good Offices to facilitate dialogue between the countries in political transition and ECCAS and ECOWAS, respectively; and in this regard, facilitate a joint deployment of the AU Panel of the Wise with its counterparts within ECCAS and ECOWAS, respectively, to engage with all the countries in political transition;

vii. Facilitate informal consultations with the countries in political transition, in line with Article 8(11) of the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council in order to determine areas requiring timely interventions and political support to ensure swift return of the concerned countries to constitutional order; and to

viii. Provide quarterly briefing reports to Council; and

11.Requests the Chairperson of the AU Commission to appoint a High-Level Facilitator at the level of a sitting or former Head of State to engage with the Transitional Authorities;

On Burkina Faso

12. Welcomes the decision of the Transitional Authorities to convene national meetings to reflect on the transition process and looks forward to the outcome of these meetings, which may potentially pave the way for the Burkinabe people to define a clear roadmap for the holding of elections to end the transition; and

13.Encourages the Transitional Authorities to create favorable conditions for political and democratic discourses towards promoting inclusivity in the coming pre-electoral period, among others, by prioritizing respect for the rule of law;

On Gabon

14. Commends the AU Commission for the deployment of the High-Level Mission under the leadership of H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the AU High Representative for Silencing the Guns, from 27 to 28 November 2023, to identify the needs of the Transitional Government to ensure the return to constitutional order in Gabon;

15.Welcomes the recent developments in the Gabonese Republic, particularly the presentation of the transition roadmap with a specific timeframe, including the convening of a national dialogue in April 2024, adoption of a new Constitution through a referendum at the end of 2024 as well as the passage of new electoral laws and the administrative rezoning of the country before the holding of the local, legislative and presidential elections scheduled for August 2025;

16.Notes the setting of the duration of the transition for a period of 24 months and the intention to hold elections in August 2025; and, in this regard, rejects any further extension of the transition period; renews its call for a speedy return to constitutional order within the prescribed timeframe;

17. Welcomes and supports the efforts being deployed by ECCAS and applauds the mediation efforts by ECCAS Facilitator, H.E. Faustin-Archange Touadéra, President of the Central African Republic, as well as those of the ECCAS Special Envoys;

18.Urges the Transitional Authorities to implement the outcomes of the Inclusive National Dialogue within the prescribed timeframe to ensure an inclusive political transition; and

19.Expresses grave concern about the continued house arrest of former President Ali Bongo Ondimba and demands, once again, his immediate and unconditional release;

On Guinea

20. Takes note of the appointment of Mr. Mamadou Oury Bah as the new Prime Minister, urges the new Government to work with all stakeholders in ensuring an inclusive transition process and mobilized efforts towards the full implementation of the transition roadmap within agreed deadlines;

21.Calls on the Transition Authorities to pursue inclusive dialogue with the participation of all political, socio-economic and civil society stakeholders; and urges all stakeholders to prioritize dialogue and refrain from any recourse to violence that only exacerbates the political and social tensions in the country;

On Mali

22. Takes note of the inter-Malian dialogue for peace and national reconciliation convened from 13 April to 10 May 2024, calls on the Transition Authorities to honour the promises made to the Malian people, within the framework of the existing transition charter, roadmap and calendars;

23.Reiterates its deep concern over the continued suspension of political parties and activities of political associations in a context where the expiration of the second transitional period required broad prior consultations for a consensus on a roadmap for the organization of the next elections; also expresses concern over the absence of inclusive political participation during the inter-Malian dialogue due to their suspension and calls on the Transitional Authorities to take appropriate measures to reconsider the decision and ensure inclusivity in the management of the transition process;

24. Requests the Commission to urgently organize a fact-finding mission to Mali to discuss the conclusions of the inter-Malian dialogue, and work with the transitional authorities to identify opportunities for collaboration and implementation;

25.Takes note of the leadership vacuum within the African Union Mission for Mali and Sahel (MISAHEL), and requests the Chairperson of the AU Commission to ensure the nomination of a High Representative, which remains a crucial interface in ensuring collective oversight between the Commission, Council and the Countries in transition;

On Niger

26. Welcomes the launch of regional consultations to hold an inclusive national dialogue, aimed at defining the contours of the Transition; encourages the transitional authorities to scale up efforts in ensuring an inclusive and participatory approach to the dialogue, within the agreed timeframe;

27.Expresses grave concern over the continued detention of President Mohamed Bazoum and demands, once again, his immediate and unconditional release, as well as the release of all other political detainees; and

28. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

COMMENTS