Summary: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission starts from Mali a tour of the Sahel countries… and it is considered that the suspension of its membership in African institutions was not a desire to isolate it.
The head of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssef, said that the terrorist attacks on Mali target the foundations of the state, and stressed that Mali "is not alone in this battle," noting that all African Union countries are ready to help Mali, which is fighting the war on behalf of Africa.
Youssef's remarks came on Monday during a press conference he held after a meeting with the Malian Transitional President, General Assemi Goita. Youssef arrived in the Malian capital, Bamako, last Sunday, at the beginning of a regional tour, which will also include Niger and Burkina Faso, which are the countries The three whose relationship with the African Union is going through a period of tension due to military coups.
Part of the President of Mali's reception of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Monday in Bamako (AU)
At the end of the African official's visit to Mali, the sources spoke of "positive signals" sent by both parties, especially with regard to cooperation in non-political fields, such as security, development, humanitarian work and health, despite the continuation of some sanctions such as the suspension of membership Mali in the bodies of the African Union.
Mahmoud Ali Youssef said that he came to Mali in his capacity as head of the African Union Commission to "stand in solidarity with Mali," adding: "These terrorist attacks that killed a lot of Malians, and claimed the life of General Sadio Camara, were a shock to the entire continent."
Screenshot from a press conference held by Mahmoud Ali Youssef, Chairperson of the African Union Commission in Bamako (AU)
Youssef explained: “We are here to condemn in the strongest terms this multifaceted terrorism; media, military, political and economic. I think if Mali is facing this threat today, it is doing so on behalf of the whole of Africa.” The Chairperson of the African Union Commission described the threat of terrorism as “a fire that, if we do not control it and encircle it very quickly, will spread very quickly to neighboring countries, which we are already witnessing; Ghana is threatened, Togo and Benin are threatened.”
The African official called for “fighting terrorism at the continental level,” before adding: “I can say today that Mali is not alone in this battle. We are all here, UNHCR and Member States, to help Mali overcome these difficulties, especially at this very difficult juncture. ”
Group photo of ECOWAS leaders during their summit in Abuja, Nigeria on December 15, 2024 (AFP)
The Transitional President of Mali, General Goita, received the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and held a meeting that lasted for more than an hour at the Presidential Palace. According to what the African Union published in a telegram on its website, Goita welcomed the visit and described it as "a strong expression of Solidarity of the African Union with the Government and people of Mali. ”
The same source added that "President Goita stressed Mali's keenness to continue a close dialogue with the African Union and to continue to work with the organization on issues of common interest," a positive signal in light of the continued freeze of Mali's membership in the bodies of the continental organization since the coup 2020
Fighters from the «Front for the Liberation of Azawad» in the strategic town of Kidal, which is under the control of the Front (AFP)
Original source: aawsat.com
