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We inform, we communicate

Communique of the 748th AU PSC Meeting on the deployment of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) contingent mission in the Kingdom of Lesotho

The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 748thmeeting held on 24 January 2018, adopted the following decision on the deployment of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) contingent mission in the Kingdom of Lesotho:

Council,

1. Takes noteof the briefing made by the Secretariat of (SADC on the deployment to the Kingdom of Lesotho, as mandated by the Double Troika Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government on 15 September 2017. Councilalso takes noteof the statements made by the delegations of the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Republic of South Africa in its capacity as the Chair of SADC;

2.Welcomesthe Communiqué of the Double Troika Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government of 15 September 2017, which approvedthe deployment of the SADC Preventive Mission in the Kingdom of Lesotho (SAPMIL). Furthermore, Councilwelcomesthe deployment of SAPMIL, a multidimensional force comprising of a total of 258 personnel, as follows 207 Military, 24 Police, 15 Intelligence and 12 Civilian Experts for an initial period of six months, with effect from 20 November 2017, within the framework of the African Standby Force (ASF). CouncilAcknowledgesthat the objective of the deployment is to stabilize the political and security situation in the Kingdom of Lesotho; implement the recommendations of the SADC Commission of Inquiry; and to create a secure, stable and peaceful environment conducive for the rule of law necessary for the implementation of constitutional, parliamentary, judicial, public and security sector reforms;

3.Underscoresthat SAPMIL has been established in line with the United Nations (UN) Charter, Chapter VI, the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the AU and the relevant provisions contained in the SADC Treaty, Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, including the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing the SADC Standby Brigade of 2007;

4.Welcomesthe SADC request for support from the AU for the provision of technical and financial support for SAPMIL, in particular for the provision of support for the initial six months for a budget of USD 1,613,928.00 that the region urgently needs to mobilise in order to cater for the shortfall and allow the Mission to carry out its mandate within the initial six months. In this regard, Councilappealsto all AU Member States, the UN and partners to extend their support, particularly technical and financial support to SAPMIL. Councilrequeststhe Chairperson of the Commission, in consultation with the SADC Secretariat, to make proposals on technical and financial support to the SAPMIL operation and update the PSC on the matter;

5.Commendsthe commitment by the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho to finding a lasting solution to its security situation andencouragesthem to implement the various reforms outlined above in paragraph 2. Furthermore, Councilexpressesits appreciationto SADC and to the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho for appraising it on the prevailing political and security situation in Lesotho;

6.Requeststhe Chairperson of the Commission to transmit the communiqué to the UN Secretary-General and to request that it be circulated as an official UN Security Council document, as well as to other relevant international stakeholders;

7.Decidesto remain actively seized of the matter.


Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union Peace and Security Department.
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