This visit marks an AU diplomatic initiative aimed at fostering political dialogue and encouraging Mali’s return to constitutional order.
Mandated by the Angolan Head of State, who also serves as the AU Champion for Peace and Reconciliation, Minister António conveyed pan-African solidarity in the face of persistent security challenges in the Sahel. He underscored the critical importance of Malian stability for the entire continent.
With the outcome of Mali’s transition, which began in 2021, still uncertain, this mission combines elements of listening, discreet mediation, and diplomatic pressure. The AU, which had suspended Mali from its institutions following successive coups d’état, is now seeking to support political normalization while upholding its democratic principles.
While refraining from directly commenting on the proposed revision of the Transition Charter—which suggests a five-year renewable presidential term—Tete António emphasized the crucial need to respect existing texts, maintain dialogue, and strengthen cooperation among member states.
The visit also served to rekindle historic ties between Bamako and Luanda. The Angolan minister lauded Mali’s contribution to Angola’s liberation and paid tribute to Malian diplomat Alioune Blondin Beye, an esteemed figure in African peace recently honored in Luanda.
Finally, Tete António reiterated the AU’s principle of “non-indifference,” asserting that African states bear a responsibility to act in the face of crises affecting their neighbors. This approach aims to reposition the African Union as a central mediator, balancing national sovereignty, security imperatives, and democratic norms.
MD/te/Sf/fss/abj/APA