The 19th African Union Summit which took place in Addis Ababa from July 9 to 16, 2012, resulted in some important decisions.

I would firstly like to remind you of the statement I made yesterday on the election of Ms. Dlamini-Zuma as Chairperson of the African Union Commission. France warmly congratulates Ms. Dlamini-Zuma on her election following a contest that reflected the very essence of the African Union for its member States. We wish her every success.

France also warmly congratulates all members of the African Union Commission who were elected yesterday.

Since the first Summit of Heads of State and Government in Durban 10 years ago, the African Union has made remarkable progress, notably in the area of peace and security. France is attached to a strong Africa that makes its voice fully heard in international forums. We wish the team now in place every success in helping the AU to continue its projects and strengthen its unity.

Over and above the election of the new Commission, this African Union Summit was marked by several major events:

1. Regarding Mali, the scale of the crisis goes hand in hand with the increased mobilization of the AU and its Member States, in particular Chad, which has expressed its solidarity with Mali.

We especially welcome the call for the establishment of an international commission of inquiry to probe the violence against President Traoré, as well as the demand for the formation of a national unity government by July 31, which are consistent with institution building. This is a prerequisite for any stabilization effort or effort to restore the unity and territorial integrity of Mali.

Dialogue with the groups prepared to negotiate in the north must be conducted in parallel to the efforts to rebuild the Malian army. Dialogue should not conflict with military action; they should be combined.

We welcome the process to develop a strategic concept being conducted by the AU and ECOWAS and hope that it will be developed in very close collaboration with the Malian authorities.

2. Regarding Sudan and South Sudan, France welcomes the meeting between Presidents Kiir and al-Bashir on the sidelines of the summit. It urges them to demonstrate responsibility in order to lead their countries toward peace and mutual development by reaching a comprehensive agreement as swiftly as possible.

France encourages the two countries to make the most of the new spirit of dialogue which is driving them within the framework of the negotiation conducted under the auspices of the AU High-level Panel aimed at fully implementing UNSCR 2046. Only the definitive settlement of the dispute between them will allow the two States to resolve the economic crisis they are currently facing.

3. Following the meeting between Presidents Kabila and Kagame, France welcomes the resumption of dialogue at the highest level between the DRC and Rwanda on the occasion of this summit.

The meeting of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) on July 15, on the sidelines of the summit, resulted in an encouraging declaration.

All initiatives to put an end to the fighting and control the border between the DRC and Rwanda are welcome. In the meantime, France again expresses its determination to see an end to all external support for armed groups in the DRC.

We will remain attentive to the implementation of these proposals, within a framework still to be defined.