Addis Ababa, 13 February 2013: On 11 February 2013, the High Representative of the African Union (AU) for Mali and the Sahel, Mr. Pierre Buyoya, AU Special Representative and Head of the Africa-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA), took office in Bamako and undertook his activities with the military, police and civil components of AFISMA and with the Malian authorities.

 

Mr. Pierre Buyoya held talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Mali. During the talks, Hepresented to the Minister the objectives of his mission, which includeassisting the Government of Mali to restore national unity and sovereignty over the entire territory, supporting the Government in all its programmes to ensure national security and supporting the authorities of the Transition in their efforts to bring about political normalcy through dialogue and the preparations for elections.

 On his part, the Minister welcomed the Special Representative and congratulated him on the trust that the Chairperson of the Commission and through her the whole of Africa, had reposed in him by appointing him to those high functions. He assured him of the readiness and support of his Government and all the people of Mali to guarantee the success of his mission.

 Furthermore, the Minister briefly presented the general situation obtaining in his country. The two personalities welcomed the progress already made, particularly, in the area of security, progress essentially due to the efforts of the Government with the support of its partners.

 They agreed to work togetherconsult regularly so as to harmonise their actions and arrive at a full normalisation of the political and security situation in the country.

 

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