African Union Peace and Security Council held a Summit meeting in Abuja, Nigeria

The Peace and Security Council of the African Union held its 207^th meeting at the level of Heads of State and Government, in Abuja, Nigeria on 29^th October. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi led the Ethiopian delegation to the Summit.

The main agenda of the Council was consideration of the Report of the African Union High-Level Panel on Darfur (AUPD). The Summit was held under the Chairmanship of Mr. Umaru Yar'aduwa, current Chairperson of the Peace and Security Council and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Former President of South Africa, Mr. Thabo Mbeki, Chairperson of the AUPD, introduced the report of the Panel, entitled, " Darfur: the Quest for Peace, Justice and Reconciliation". It is to be recalled that the Peace and Security Council, in its 142^nd meeting, held on 21^st July 2008, had requested the Chairperson of the African Union Commission establish an independent High Level Panel to examine the situation in Darfur in depth and submit recommendations to Council on how best the issue of accountability and combating impunity, on the one hand, and reconciliation and healing, on the other, could be effectively and comprehensively addressed, including through the establishment of truth and/or reconciliation Commissions with the active involvement of the African Union and its relevant institutions and, as necessary, the support of the larger international community.

In his introductory statement Mr. Mbeki highlighted the numerous consultations held with all stakeholders, points where there is agreement by all stakeholders, the salient features of the recommendation of the report and follow-up and implementation mechanisms.

During the debate following the introduction of the report, Council members expressed their appreciation over the quality of the report. It was highlighted that the report presented a comprehensive solution to the "crisis of the Sudan as manifested in Darfur". In particular, its integrated approach in addressing peace, justice and reconciliation in Darfur as a way to bringing sustainable peace and development, was highly commended. The Council stressed that the Panel's methodology of broad consultation with all stakeholders, in the field, over an extended period of time, and its clear definition of the problem, made the Panel's report exemplary and was worth emulating in addressing other conflict situations in the Continent. It was also stressed that the Report will serve as a guide for engagements that Africa will have to undertake with the international community in dealing with the situation in Darfur.

It is in light of this, that the Council, in its Communique, endorsed the report and its recommendations. The Council, congratulated the Chairperson of the AUPD and the other members of the Panel. It also expressed appreciation for the cooperation extended to the Panel by the Government of the Sudan, opposition political parties, armed opposition movements, IDPs, pastoralists and the Darfurian civil society, and other Sudanese parties, as well as international stakeholders.

The Council reaffirmed the commitment of the AU to combat impunity, in line with the relevant provisions of the AU Constitutive Act, and strongly condemned the violations of human rights in Darfur. At the same time, Council urged, once again, the UN Security Council to heed the AU's call for the deferral of the process initiated by the International Criminal Court against President Omar Hassan Al Bashir, in the interest of peace, justice and reconciliation.

The Council also stressed the need to create inclusive and conducive conditions for the successful holding in Darfur, as well as in the rest of the country, of the April 2010 national elections provided for by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and to ensure that Darfur fully participates in the national debate arising from the 2011 self-determination referendum in Southern Sudan.

Furthermore, the Council expressed its conviction that the achievement of lasting peace and reconciliation in Darfur requires that the Sudanese stakeholders take full ownership of the process and that, given the necessary support, the people of Sudan will be able to bring to an end the conflict in Darfur in an inclusive, peaceful and expeditious manner. Taking this fact into account, the Council stressed that the international community needs to play a supportive role, based on a proper understanding of the causes and consequences of the conflict in Darfur.

The Council requested the Chairperson of the Commission to immediately take the necessary steps to enhance its capacity to support the implementation of the recommendations of the AUPD, including the establishment of an appropriate unit within the AU.

The Council also requested the Chairperson of the Commission to establish an AU High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), comprising of former Presidents Thabo Mbeki, Pierre Buyoya, and General Abdusalamli Abubakar, to assist in the implementation of all aspects of the AUPD recommendations, as well as to assist the Sudanese parties in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

The Council further requested the Chairperson of the Commission to submit quarterly reports on the implementation of the AUPD recommendations, and requested all AU Member States and partners to support fully the implementation of the recommendations of the AUPD.