ADDIS ABABA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has urged political actors in Mali to refrain from acts that may further worsen the situation in that country.
One month ahead of Mali's presidential elections in July, violent clashes occurred last Saturday in the capital city Bamako sparked by demonstrations by opposition parties.
In a statement on Monday, the Chairperson of the 55-member Commission regretted the incidents, whereby more than a dozen were reportedly injured during the demonstration organized in Bamako by the opposition.
Wishing a speedy recovery to those who were injured in the incidents, the Chairperson of the AU Commission has called on Malian political actors to exercise restraint and refrain from any act likely to induce greater political polarization.
Mahamat has underlined that all Malian political leaders need to work towards the holding of peaceful, smooth, and transparent elections next month.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday also called for calm and restraint by all parties in the country.
He has urged political actors and the civil society to favor dialogue in order to maintain an environment conducive to the holding of credible and transparent elections.
