Brussels, 30/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - The search for common solutions to break free from the crisis in Somalia, the two Sudans, Guinea-Bissau and Mali dominated the 5th Joint Consultative Meeting between the European Union Political and Security Committee (EUPSC) and the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU-PSC) in Brussels on Tuesday 29 May. In the view of participants, the dialogue, which is crucial to implementation of the joint EU-Africa strategy, afforded the opportunity to improve coordination of positions between the EU and the African Union (AU) on especially important challenges on the security agenda in Africa.
“The continent has been in convulsion for two years. The Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance came into force in February, and virtually straight away, there was the coup in Guinea-Bissau, then it was in Mali. The thing about this year is that we have laid great emphasis on anti-constitutional changes. We have joint objectives for all the situations which obtain on the continent”, current Chairman of the AU-PSC Jacques-Alfred Ndoumbe Eboule told press on Wednesday. Olog Skoog, Permanent Chair of the EUPSC, welcomed the unity of view as witnessed by the joint statement adopted.
Somalia. Both parties highlighted the importance of bringing together the political and security agendas. “Politically, we are concerned at the delays in the transition process. We restated the need for this process to be continued in line with the timetable established”, Skoog said. The statement notes that the deadline for completion of the transition is 20 August. It commends the achievements of the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the substantial EU support, the contribution of the EUNAFOR Atalanta mission in tackling piracy and the decision by the EU to deploy a new regional maritime capacity-building mission to help Somalia and the countries of the region to assure maritime security.
Sudan/South Sudan. The two parties expressed their deep concern at the tension between these two neighbouring countries and the humanitarian crisis in the states of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile. Both also reiterated their full support for the roadmap adopted by the AU-PSC and the mediation by former South African president Tabo Mbeki. Sudan and South Sudan must both implement the UA roadmap and UN Security Council resolution 2046 (2012), says the joint statement. “We are convinced that reforms are needed in the two countries in order to build genuine democracy and the institutions representing all groups so that new crises may be prevented in future”, said Skoog.
Sahel and Mali. Discussion focused essentially on Mali. Restating their firm condemnation of the coup, both sides called on all parties to cooperate fully with the transitional government to agree on an inclusive roadmap for the full restoration of civil, constitutional order. Both parties said the territorial integrity of the county must be maintained. They strongly condemned violations of human rights in Northern Mali by rebel and armed and terrorist groups. The efforts of ECOWAS to preserve the unity and territorial integrity of Mali and the AU initiative to establish a Support and Follow-up Group on Mali, which will hold its first meeting in Abidjan on 7 June, were welcomed.
Guinea-Bissau. Both parties called for the Security Council resolution to be observed, for a return to constitutional order and for general reflection on Guinea's inherent problem: the fact that the military has a tendency to become involved in the political process, according to Skoog. For the longer term, the EU and are determined to work resolutely for the reform of the security sector and the construction of lasting institutions. (AN/transl.rt)