Assembly/AU/Dec.677(XXX) Page 3 URGENT NEED for AMISOM to be provided with a predictable and sustainable funding and the requisite equipment to enhance its capacity, including force enablers and multipliers, with a view to enabling it to more effectively discharge its mandate, in line with the conclusions of the AU-UN Joint Review and in the spirit of the UN-AU Joint Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security, signed on 19 April 2017. The Assembly WELCOMES the appointment by the Chairperson of the Commission and the UN Secretary General of Ambassador Ramtane Lamamra, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria, and Mr. Jean-Marie Guéhenno, former UN Under Secretary General in charge of Peacekeeping Operations, to recommend to the AU and the UN the best options for predictable and sustainable funding for AMISOM and the Somali security forces. 7. WELCOMES the progress made in the electoral process in the DRC, notably the announcement on 5 November 2017 of an electoral calendar setting the date of 23 December 2018 for the holding of the provincial, legislative and presidential elections, and URGES AU Member States with the necessary logistical capabilities, to generously make them available to the DRC for the success of the electoral process. The Assembly ENCOURAGES the AU, SADC, ICGLR, and the United Nations to continue to work together for coherent and effective financial, logistical and security support to the DRC, and INVITES the international community to give the necessary support for the holding of elections within the timeframe as announced on 5 November 2017. The Assembly EXPRESSES ITS FULL SUPPORT for the efforts of the Chairperson of the Commission with the Congolese authorities, and URGES them to take measures aimed at defusing political tension. The Assembly CALLS UPON all the Congolese parties to exercise utmost restraint in that regard and CONDEMNS all forms of violence and DEEPLY DEPLORES the loss of human lives; 8. REAFFIRMS the leading role of the AU in the efforts to implement the African Initiative in the CAR and URGES all armed groups to put an end to violence and the use of weapons throughout the territory. The Assembly CALLS UPON CAR neighbouring States, members of the Facilitation Panel, to fully cooperate and work towards the success of the Initiative by taking internal steps to control and prevent the movements of armed groups in their territories. The Assembly STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE of complementarity between MINUSCA and the African Mission for Central Africa (MISAC), with a view to restoring State authority and the adherence of armed groups to Disarmament, Demobilisation, Reintegration and Repatriation (DDRR) programmes. The Assembly ENCOURAGES the Government of the CAR to continue its recovery and peacebuilding efforts despite the many challenges the country faces, and the partners to continue to provide their support in the reconstruction of the CAR; 9. REAFFIRMS the commitment of the AU to a peaceful resolution of the political situation in Burundi through an inclusive dialogue on the basis of the Arusha Agreement of 28 August 2000 and the Constitution of Burundi and APPEALS to 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly, 28- 29 January 2018, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia