AfricaWorld News

African Union discusses war on Mali

African Union discusses war on Mali
The African Union discusses the French war on Mali as the major topic of its 20th ordinary summit held in Ethiopia.

The African states have pledged 7,700 troops to support the French and Malian forces against the fighters in northern Mali.

African heads of state attended the event in Addis Ababa on Sunday. The summit will continue on Monday.

Ramtane Lamamra, the peace and security commissioner of the African Union, told reporters on Friday, “We definitely know, based on the first assumptions… that the force size will have to be significantly augmented.”

Lamamra said the African Union would also seek urgent “temporary” logistical support, including transport, medicine, and field hospitals, from the United Nations for the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA).

The African Union has asked the UN to “authorize… the immediate establishment by the UN of temporary arrangements that would enable AFISMA to speedily deploy and effectively implement its mandate,” Lamamra stated.

The United Nations has already authorized the deployment of a 3,300-strong force under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

On January 11, France launched its war on Mali under the pretext of halting the advance of the fighters who control the northern part of the African country. Nearly 2,300 French troops have so far been deployed to the country.

French warplanes and helicopters have been bombing Mali’s northern cities.

On Friday, French troops along with Malian forces advanced on the fighters’ stronghold in the city of Gao after recapturing the northern town of Hombori, French officials said.

France has also imposed media restrictions on the developments on the ground with the help of the Malian army, which human rights groups say has committed ‘serious abuses.’

Meanwhile, local officials said fighters, based in the town of Ansongo, destroyed a bridge near the Nigerien border to stop the advance of African troops, who are stationed in Niger.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has warned that the war in Mali could leave at least 700,000 people homeless.

Some political analysts believe that Mali’s abandoned natural resources, including gold and uranium reserves, could be one of the reasons behind the French war.

Back to top button