Addis Ababa, January 18, 2012: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Jean Ping, is following with concern the incidents that took place yesterday and today in the northern part of Mali.
The Chairperson of the Commission condemns in the strongest terms the attacks perpetrated by armed groups against the towns of Menaka, Aguelhok and Tessalit, in the northern part of Mali, and their unjustified use of violence. He expresses AU’s full support to the efforts of the Malian Government, as well as to the measures it has taken to address the situation and to immediately restore peace and security in the affected areas.
These serious incidents highlight the importance and urgency of enhancing regional cooperation and coordination among the concerned Member States to more effectively address the security challenges in the Sahelo‐Saharan belt. In this respect, the Chairperson of the Commission recalls the joint efforts being deployed by the AU and the United Nations, within the framework of the relevant decisions of their respective policy organs, and looks forward to effective follow‐up measures.