France welcomes the election of Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn as chairman of the African Union. It commends the exemplary work of the outgoing presidency held by Benin, notably with respect to Mali, for which it encouraged the mobilization of the African and international community.

This year will mark the 50th anniversary of the Organization of African Unity and we are convinced that Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn will enable the African Union to achieve its objectives, with respect to peace and security as well as with respect to development, governance, democracy and human rights. Ethiopia is a country that recently assumed key responsibilities on behalf of Africa, during the G8 and G20 summits and during the climate negotiations. It can count on France’s full support.

The African Union plays a key role in the resolution of regional crises; it will have another opportunity to confirm this through its contribution to the donors’ conference on Mali which will take place tomorrow in Addis Ababa.