Mali Poses Regional Threat, AU Says

The African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council says the strengthening grip of Islamist militants in northern Mali poses a serious threat to regional stability.

African leaders meeting in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, affirmed their support for a military intervention in Mali if necessary Saturday. The leaders met ahead of an AU summit to discuss ongoing security concerns in the region. Topping the agenda was Mali.

AU commissioner for Peace and Security Ramtane Lamamra, reading from a communique issued after the meeting, said the situation in the country poses a “serious threat to regional and international peace.”

“Council expressed its deep concern at the seriousness of the situation in northern Mali marked by the strengthening of the grip of armed terrorist and criminal groups in the area,” Lamamra said. “Council also noted with concerns on reports of the presence of a number of non-Malian armed groups.”