Addis Ababa, 30 January 2013: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, today appointed the AU High Representative for Mali and Sahel, former President Pierre Buyoya of Burundi, as her Special Representative and Head of the African led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA). This decision is in pursuance of the relevant provisions of the Communiqué of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) meeting, held at the level of Heads of State and Government, in Addis Ababa, on 25 January 2013, and of the Solemn Declaration on the situation in Mali adopted by the 20th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government, held in Addis Ababa, from 27 to 28 January 2013, as well as subsequent consultations with the President of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other stakeholders.
The appointment of former President Buyoya is part of the efforts by the AU and ECOWAS to put in place, with the support of the United Nations, the required command and control arrangements that would facilitate the effective deployment and operations of AFISMA. The two Commissions work together, with the UN and other stakeholders, within the framework of the Mali Integrated Task Force (MITF), to provide the required strategic guidance for AFISMA and establish the appropriate structures for its effective management, including the Mission Headquarters.
Former President Buyoya, who has extensive political, diplomatic and military experience, will greatly assist in ensuring the effectiveness of AFISMA and mobilize the much-needed African and international support for the success of the African efforts in Mali. He will be based in Bamako.
The African Union appoints Mr. Pierre Buyoya as its High Representative for Mali and the Sahel
Addis Ababa, 26 October 2012 — /African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has today appointed the former President of the Republic of Burundi, Mr. Pierre Buyoya, as the AU High Representative for Mali and the Sahel. This decision follows the announcement made yesterday, 24 October 2012, by Dr. Dlamini-Zuma in her opening statement at the meeting of the Peace and Security Council (PSC), held at ministerial level, during which the PSC adopted the Strategic Concept for the Resolution of the Crises in Mali and Other Related Aspects.
Supported by the Office that the AU intends to establish very soon in Bamako, the High Representative will have as his main task the enhancement of the AU’s contribution to the ongoing efforts to address the situation in the northern part of Mali and complete the process to resolve fully the institutional crisis. He will endeavor to ensure a closer coordination with ECOWAS and the countries of the region, including the core countries, as well as with the international partners. In so doing, he will assist in addressing the multifaceted challenges confronting the Sahel region, with particular emphasis on the coordination of efforts aimed at dealing with the root causes of the crises facing Mali. The implementation of the AU strategy for security and development in the Sahel region is also included in the mandate of the High Representative.
Mr. Pierre Buyoya was the President of the Republic of Burundi from 1987 to 1993 and from 1996 to 2003, and has a vast experience in conflict management and resolution. Since 2009, former President Buyoya has been a member of the AU High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) on Sudan and South Sudan. He will assume his function as High Representative concurrently with his responsibilities as member of the AUHIP.