Brussels, 16/05/2001 (Agence Europe) - During its last session, the General Affairs Council adopted a new common position on conflict prevention, management and resolution in Africa as a contribution to the Union's efforts aimed at developing a comprehensive policy in the field of conflict prevention.
The main features of the common position are: 1) strengthening African capacities for conflict prevention; 2) elaborating regular surveys to identify potential violent conflict in Africa and presenting policy options to enhance the Union's capacity for early action; 3) improving support for African capabilities in the field of peacekeeping; and 4) emphasising the strategic role of development cooperation in conflict as well as the importance of following up on post conflict situations.
The Council invited the future Belgian Presidency to further pursue and develop EU policy in the Great Lakes region as a concrete example of the application of the common position, and to report back to the Council at an early opportunity. The proposal of the Presidency to draft an outline for the first yearly survey on potential conflicts in Africa was welcomed. The Council also welcomed the close cooperation and coordination between the Union and the United Nations in respect of crises in Africa - mainly in Ethiopia/Eritrea, the Great Lakes region, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, and in Somalia - and intends to further deepen such cooperation and coordination.
In the context of the common position, the Council reviewed the situation in the different African countries involved in conflicts or in a post-conflict situation:
(1) Great Lakes Region/Democratic Republic of Congo: The Council reaffirms its support for the implementation of the Lusaka agreement, recognises progress made despite difficulties encountered, urges all parties to comply with the UN Security Council resolutions and to cooperate with the MONUC, restates the importance that it attaches to the restoration of the sovereigny and territorial integrity of the DRC, and also to the disarmament and demobilisation of armed groups - with child soldiers as a priority. In addition to the implementation of the Lusaka agreement, it stresses the need to tackle the causes of the conflicts in the region. (2) Burundi: Concerned by the stalemate in the Burundi peace process and the humanitarian situation in the country, the Council condemns the attempted coup d'état in Bujumbura on 18 April, calls on all armed groups to immediately and unconditionally cease hostilities and on all governments of the region to put an end to any kind of direct or indirect aid to the armed groups. (3) Zimbabwe: The Council expressed deep concern over the increased occurrence of unacceptable acts of political violence and intimidation, and confirms its commitment to pursue constructive dialogue with the government to reach rapid and tangible results. It will review the situation in June, in the light of new developments, with a view to considering appropriate measures if progress has been insufficient. (4) Guinea/Sierra Leone/Liberia: Deeply concerned about the deterioration of the political and humanitarian situation in the region, the Council expressed support for the imposition of sanctions on Liberia. (5) Ethiopia/Eritrea: The Council welcomed the recent progress made in implementation of the peace agreement. It called on both countries to voluntarily limit their arms exports if the UN embargo on weapons is not renewed. It recalls that the Union Member States will comply with the code of conduct concerning arms sales to the region.
Furthermore, the Council adopted a common position on Nigeria expressing the EU's commitment to develop a constructive and coherent policy based on dialogue to support this country in its efforts to consolidate democracy and advance socio-economic development.