African Union urges calm, dialogue in Mali

By Felix Tih

ANKARA (AA) - The head of the African Union Commission urged calm, continued dialogue and negotiations Tuesday for the diligent implementation of consensual solutions to preserve peace, stability and social cohesion in Mali.

Moussa Faki Mahamat also condemned acts of violence following demonstrations in the West African country which resulted in the loss of life, injuries and destruction of public and private property.

Mahamat in a statement demanded investigations to establish accountability, bring justice to the victims and apply appropriate sanctions.

Mali has been hit by protests that erupted for several months in which demonstrators are demanding President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita’s resignation.

A number of people have been killed in protests led by famous imam Mahmoud Dicko.

The statement said Mahamat supports the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) proposals which constitute a basis for negotiation for the resolution of problems which are at the origin of the current crisis.

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan was appointed last week by the ECOWAS as a special envoy to head its mediation mission in Mali.

ECOWAS called on all stakeholders to resort to dialogue and talks to resolve the crisis in good faith and mutual trust with a view to sustaining peace and security.

The leaders of Senegal, Ivory Coast, Niger and Ghana are expected to arrive in Mali later this week for further negotiations.