A Federal Foreign Office spokesperson issued the following statement today (2 April) on the situation in Mali:

“In view of the worrying developments in Mali, Foreign Minister Westerwelle demands that law and order be re-established as quickly as possible, and calls for an immediate end to hostilities in the north of the country.

The coup staged by members of the army, and the attacks carried out by Tuareg and Islamist groups, not only undermine all legitimate state authority, but also threaten stability in the entire Sahel region in West Africa.

Foreign Minister Westerwelle, on behalf of the Federal Government, supports the intensive efforts being undertaken by ECOWAS states to resolve the situation, as well as the sanctions agreed by ECOWAS and the AU targeting those participating in the coup.”

Background information:

On 21 and 22 March, military personnel under the leadership of Captain Amadou Haya Sanogo launched a coup against President Amadou Toumani Touré.

In the north of the country, Tuareg groups and Islamist forces are fighting the Malian army and the central government. Yesterday, Timbuktu became the third major city in northern Mali, after Kidal and Gao, to fall to the rebels.

On 30 March, the Federal Foreign Office issued a travel warning for Mali.