AU Central Organ issues resolutions on conflict situations in Africa

Addis Ababa, February 4(ENA)-- The Central Organ of the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolutions of the African Union convened at Heads of State and Government level concluded its deliberations later on Monday passing resolutions on the various conflict situations in the continent.

South African President and current chairperson of the AU, Thabo Mbeki told a press conference here on Tuesday that the Central Organ passed decisions regarding the conflicts in Burundi, Cote d' Ivoire, Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of Congo as well as issues related to Comoros, Madagascar and Liberia.

Accordingly, the Central Organ has welcomed the signing of cease-fire agreements between the Transitional Government of Burundi and the CNDD-FDD of Jean Bosco Ndayikengurukiye, the PALIPOEHUTU-FNL of Alain Mugabarabona and the CNDD-FDD of Pierre Nkurunziza on 7 October and 2 December 2002, respectively.

It has also approved the deployment of the African Mission expressing appreciation to the governments of Ethiopia, South Africa and Mozambique for their willingness to contribute troops, and urged AU member states and the international community to provide financial and logistical support to the Mission, Mbeki said.

With regard to Cote d' Ivoire, the Central Organ has welcomed the signing of the Linas-Marcoussis Accord and urged all parties to honor the commitments made and to create a conducive environment for its speedy implementation.

He said it has also commended leaders of the region for their initiatives to resolve the crisis, mandated ECOWAS to continue its peace efforts in that country and requested the AU Chairperson and the Interim Chairperson of the Commission to consider was of strengthening ECOWAS initiatives.

Mbeki said the Central Organ has strongly condemned the grave violations of human rights against the civilian populations and urged all parties in Cote d' Ivoire to respect human rights and international humanitarian law.

Concerning the situation in Central African Republic (CAR), the Central Organ has expressed its support to the efforts made by CEMAC to promote peace and stability in the country and the efforts to bring about reconciliation between CAR and Chad.

It has also welcomed the progress made in implementing the Libreville Communiqué including deployment of CEMAC force, and requested the UN and AU member States to extend financial and logistical assistance to CEMAC force, according to the chairperson.

Regarding the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Central Organ has welcomed the signing in Pretoria of the Comprehensive Peace Accord for the Transition in the DRC, and requested all parties to fully cooperate with the facilitator, Ketumile Masire to convene and implement the Inter-Congolese Dialogue, Mbeki said.

It has also strongly condemned the renewed fighting, which resulted in grave violations of human rights in the Ituri region, and called on all parties to expedite the establishment of the Ituri Pacification Commission provided for in the Luanda Agreement.

President Mbeki said the Central Organ has also recommended to the Assembly of the Union to recognize Marc Ravalomanana as the legitimate President of Madagascar, and underscored the need for national reconciliation to create conditions for lasting peace and stability in the country.

Regarding the situations in Comoros, the Central Organ says taking note of the outcome of the Ministerial meeting of the countries of the region and the Troika held in Moroni it has endorsed its recommendations and called on the Comoran parties to fully cooperate in the implementation of the recommendations.

The Central Organ has also reiterated its appeal to the UN Security Council to reconsider its decision on the sanctions imposed against Liberia, Mbeki added.

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