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PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 332nd MEETING
ADDIS ABABA
4 SEPTEMBER 2012
PSC/PR/COMM(CCCXXXII)
COMMUNIQUE
COMMUNIQUE
The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 332nd meeting held on 4 September 2012, in Addis Ababa, adopted the following decision on the situation in Mali:
Council,
Takes note of the briefing by the Commissioner for Peace and Security on the situation in Mali, as well as of the statements by the representatives of Cote d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso, respectively, Chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and ECOWAS Mediator for the crisis in Mali;
Recalls the communique PSC/AHG/COMM/1 (CCCXXVII) adopted at its 327th meeting held on 14 July 2012, at the level of Heads of State and Government, as well as the Solemn Declaration of the Assembly of the Union on the situation in Mali. Council reaffirms the unwavering commitment of the AU and its Member States to national unity and territorial integrity of the Republic of Mali and the absolute rejection by the AU, of terrorism and resort to armed rebellion to assert political claims;
Welcomes the return to Bamako of Acting President Dioncounda Traore and his address to the nation, delivered on July 29, 2012. Council reaffirms its full support, particularly in the context of his consultations for the formation of the Government of national unity that includes all political and social forces of the country, as well as other initiatives within the context of the transition.
Council further welcomes the formation, on 20 August 2012, of the Government of National Unity, and stresses the need for this Government to spare no efforts aiming at overcoming the challenges of restoring the authority of the State in the northern part of the country and the organization of free, transparent and credible elections within the 12- month deadline stipulated for the conclusion of the transition;
Encourages the Government of Mali to envisage the necessary administrative and legal measures that will take into account and enhance the political and socio-economic situation of all components of the Malian people;
Decides, pursuant to paragraph 10 of the communique of its 327th meeting, held on 14 July 2012, to review shortly its previous decision on the suspension of the participation of the Republic of Mali in the activities of the AU organs and meetings held under its auspices, taking into account all relevant factors and developments;
Appeals to all Malian actors to uphold the interest of their country above all other considerations and urges them to extend full cooperation and support to President Traore. In this regard, Council reaffirms its determination to impose sanctions against any individual or entity which would obstruct the action of the Acting President and the conduct of the transition;
Condemns the abuses and violations of human rights committed in Mali and warns the perpetrators that they will be held accountable for their actions. In this regard, Council welcomes the initiatives taken by the African Commission on Human and People's Rights in the context of the implementation of the relevant provisions of paragraph 15 of its communique of 14 July 2012 referred to above and on the opening of an investigation into the human rights situation in northern Mali;
Expresses its deep concern at the holding of northern part of Mali by terrorist and armed groups, and condemns the reported presence of elements of the Movement for the Uniqueness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) around Douentza near the city of Mopti;
Strongly condemns the announcement by the terrorist group MUJAO of the murder of an Algerian diplomat who had been held hostage, demands the immediate and unconditional release of the Consul of Algeria to Gao and his colleagues still being held hostage, and expresses its solidarity and condolences to the Algerian Government and the affected families;
Requests the Commission, in close cooperation with ECOWAS, to expedite the finalization of the Strategic Concept for the implementation of the relevant provisions of the communique of its 323rd meeting, held on 12 June 2012, in New York, and in accordance with resolution 2056 (2012) of the United Nations Security Council;
Agrees to meet again to consider the situation in Mali, in light of paragraph 10 of its communique adopted on 14 July 2012;
Decides to remain seized of the matter.