Mali: EPP Group condemns the military coup and supports the territorial integrity and unity of Mali.

"The case of the recent coup d’état in Mali highlights the important role played in recent times by peripheral African organisations – in this case ECOWAS – in exerting pressure on their peers to restore constitutional order and pluralistic democracy. Coups d’état are no longer acceptable to African countries themselves", said Ioannis Kasoulides MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group responsible for Foreign Affairs, following the adoption of the Resolution on the situation in Mali, by the plenary of the European Parliament on Friday 20 April 2012.

Ioannis Kasoulides not only expressed his concern for Africa, but also for the security and stability of Europe, following the developments in Northern Mali where an Islamist fundamentalist movement supported by al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb managed to take advantage of the situation and take over the towns of Timbuktu, Kidal and Gao, unilaterally seceding and declaring the independent state of Azawad.

"Such a development is contrary to international law. Such non-recognised territories become safe havens for international criminals, terrorists and al-Qa’ida followers. This would certainly have a destabilising impact on the whole of Western Africa from the Maghreb to Mauritania, Niger and the whole Sahel – an area known for kidnappings and lawlessness in the past", he added.

Mr Kasoulides insisted on the importance of being clear in the message sent by the EU.

"We support the territorial integrity and unity of Mali, and any secession or unilateral declaration of independence is unacceptable. We have to support the constitutional President Dioncounda Traoré in order to restore the unity and territorial integrity of Mali", Ioannis Kasoulides concluded.