Council appeals Member States to support AU-MVCM in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, June 17, 2023 (FBC) – The African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) has received briefing on the situation in the Horn of Africa.

The briefing was chaired by Ambassador Sophia Nyamudeza of Zimbabwe and Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security.

During the briefing chairpersons addressed the Council on the recent developments in the Horn of Africa (HoA) and Urged Council for enhanced and unified collaboration to remain seized on conflict prevention, management and resolution endeavors.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria and AU High Representatives for the Horn of Africa briefed the Council on the AU led Peace Process for Ethiopia.

Olusegun Obasanjo Called on all Member States, bilateral and multilateral partners to provide the necessary support to the peace process for a desired outcome.

The Council also received briefings by the Representatives of Ethiopia including Ambassador Ayele Lire , the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the United Nations, Hanna Tetteh, UN Under Secretary General and Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa and Birgitte Markussen, Ambassador, Head of the EU Delegation to the African Union,

On northern Ethiopia, the Council appeals to the Member States, as well as bilateral and multilateral partners to provide necessary support to AU Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mechanism (AU-MVCM), in order to harness the gains and maintain momentum.

Council underscores the importance of Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) and the need to address the scourge of illicit proliferation & circulation of Small Arms Light Weapons (SALWs).

It also commends the AU Commission for deploying the Mechanism and endorses the request for extension of its mandate for six month.

The Council further commended the efforts by the Core Group of the Expanded Mechanism under the leadership of the AU and looks forward to the outcome of the regional tour by the AU High Representatives on Silencing the Guns in Africa.