Algérie Presse Service (APS) – April 9, 2012
Meeting in the Mauritanian capital on April 8, the foreign ministers of the countries of the Sahel region (Algeria, Mali, Niger, and Mauritania) have “firmly” condemned the overthrow of the legitimate leadership in power in Mali and demanded a return of constitutional rule in that country.

In a statement released after the meeting, which was devoted to examining the seriousness of the situation in the Republic of Mali and in the Sahel-Saharan sub-region, whose negative effects threaten the stability and security of the sub-region states, Minister Delegate for Maghreb and African Affairs Abdelkader Messahel, Niger’s Minister of State, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and African Integration and Nigeriens Living Abroad Mohamed Bazoum, and Mr. Hamadi Ould Baba Hamadi, Mauritanian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation have categorically rejected Azawad’s unilateral proclamation of independence and reaffirmed their attachment to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Mali.

They have also “denounced with the strongest terms possible the violation of premises of the Algerian Consulate in Gao and the kidnapping of the Algerian diplomats, whose immediate and unconditional release they demand.”

The participants in that meeting have further “hailed the agreement reached between Ecowas and the military junta reestablishing constitutional rule and putting in place a transitional presidency with the goal of forming a civilian government and holding free, transparent and democratic elections throughout the Malian territory.”

While taking note of the resolutions and recommendations adopted by Ecowas, the African Union and the United Nations, the ministers also called for “the start of a negotiation process between the Malian government and the rebellion,” expressing in that respect “their availability to support the process to reach a political solution, while upholding the national unity and territorial integrity of Mali.”

On the same occasion, they urge the Joint Operational General Staff Committee and the Fusion and Liaison Unit “to meet urgently to assess the situation in northern Mali and to review appropriate measures.”

While hailing the interest of the international community for a resolution of the Malian crisis, the ministers of the Sahel region recalled “the determination of their countries to sustain their fight against terrorism and organized transnational crime, which remain a permanent threat to regional stability, made worse by the recent events.”

The signatories to the Nouakchott Declaration “expressed their concern in view of the humanitarian emergency created by the situation in northern Mali,” and called on the international community “to increase its help and assistance for refugee populations and displaced persons.”