ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, July 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, welcomes the successful conclusion of the first phase of the inclusive inter-Malian dialogue, marked by the signing, today, in Algiers, by all the Parties involved in the negotiation process, of a Consensual Roadmap and a Declaration of Cessation of Hostilities. She stresses that this successful outcome of the initial phase of the negotiations, which took place from 16 to 24 July 2014 and in which the AU was represented by its High Representative for Mali and the Sahel, accompanied by a team of experts, bodes well for the continuation of the inclusive inter-Malian dialogue.
The Chairperson of the Commission urges the Malian Parties to seize the opportunity arising from this significant progress to find a negotiated and consensual solution to the current crisis, on the basis of the respect of the sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and the secular nature of the Republic of Mali. She reiterates the need for the Parties to do everything possible to maintain the climate of mutual confidence which is necessary for achieving a definite end to all hostilities, as well as for the continuation and successful completion of the negotiations.
The Chairperson of the Commission welcomes the decision taken by all the Parties to launch the second phase of the negotiations from 17 August to 11 September 2014, in Algiers, under the auspices of the Algerian Mediation, in coordination with the AU, the United Nations (UN) the Mediation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the European Union (EU) and the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and with the accompaniment of the countries of the region (Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Niger and Chad).
The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates the AU’s full support to the efforts of the Algerian Government, under the auspices of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, in assisting the Malian stakeholders to successfully overcome the challenges facing their country. The AU, which welcomes the sustained engagement of the international partners in support of the ongoing process, will continue to lend its active support to the negotiation.
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