AU Commission chairperson to discuss Malian crisis

BAMAKO - The chairperson of the African Union Commission (AU) Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, arrived in Bamako on Wednesday afternoon under the auspices of the group monitoring the situation in Mali.

Upon arrival at the Bamako Senou international airport, Zuma told the press that she had come "to seriously discuss about the country's crisis and try to find a solution to it".

The meeting of the group monitoring the situation in Mali, which is being held through the initiative of AU in consultation with the United Nations and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), will start on Friday.

A well placed source in Bamako told Xinhua that the UN Security Council is awaiting for the outcome of the meeting because it has expressed interest in the Malian situation.

"We are in Bamako for a meeting on the Sahel and to seriously discuss the crisis as well as come up with ways to support Mali in its efforts to recover the territorial integrity," Zuma said.

She reiterated that AU was committed to ensuring that Mali recovers the occupied North and that peace is restored in the country.

"This visit is very important for me. We shall talk about reconquering the North and conditions for organization of elections, without forgetting Mali's development," she said while commenting on her mission to Mali.

The Bamako meeting will also be attended by Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan who will arrive in Mali on Friday.