Socialist International : In support of peace and democracy in the Sahel region

In support of peace and democracy in the Sahel region16 January 2013 The Socialist International continues to be engaged in support of the efforts of its member parties in Mali, the ADEMA-PASJ of HE Dioncounda Traoré the interim President of Mali and the RPM led by Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, in defending the democratic institutions of the country, its territorial integrity and the security of its citizens. At this difficult juncture for Mali, under threat from terrorist and rebel forces, the Socialist International has welcomed and fully supported the multilateral efforts to help the Malian government, including those of ECOWAS and the African Union, and Resolution 2085 adopted by the Security Council of the United Nations with regard to the establishment of an African-led international support mission in Mali (AFISMA). We recognise and commend the declared willingness and availability of countries from Africa to take the lead in response to the appeals to provide troops, as well as the swift assistance of the President of the Republic of France, HE François Hollande, and his government with the support of the members of the UN Security Council, in helping to secure the territory of Mali from occupation, disruption and violence. Reports in relation to Mali from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on the increasing numbers of displaced people, and from the international medical humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders in regard to the wounded are of grave concern to our organisation. While extending solidarity with all the peoples of the Sahel region, our International continues to stand firmly in support of the efforts of HE President Mahamadou Issoufou and our member party the PNDS of the neighbouring Republic of Niger, to consolidate the democratic institutions and to raise its people out of poverty. We stand equally in support of the efforts of our member party in Mauritania, the RFD, led by Ahmed Ould Daddah, who is currently engaged in moving forward demands for free and fair elections, to begin a new era for democracy in that country. The Socialist International has been in touch with its member parties from the Sahel region in recent days and has undertaken to schedule a full discussion on these issues at the forthcoming Council meeting to take place in Cascais, Portugal on 4-5 February, as an emergency item. Our discussions will include exchanges on how best to effectively contribute to these international efforts, in support of peace and democracy in Mali as well as to security in the entire region. SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL, MARITIME HOUSE, OLD TOWN, CLAPHAM, LONDON SW4 0JW, UNITED KINGDOM T: (44 20) 7627 4449 | F: (44 20) 7720 4448 / 7498 1293 | E: secretariat@socialistinternational.org