ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — African leaders are meeting in the Ethiopian capital for talks expected to be dominated by the conflict in Mali as well as lingering territorial issues between the two Sudans. The African Union says it will deploy a force in Mali, where French troops are helping the Malian army to push back extremists whose rebellion threatens to divide the West African nation. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is attending the two-day summit, which opened in Addis Ababa Sunday. At the summit Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn will take over from President Yayi Boni of Benin as chairperson of the African Union. The Peace and Security Council of the African Union said in a statement Saturday that it wanted “the early operationalization of the African Standby Force” in Mali. The council also said it fully supports Mali President Dioncounda Traore but urged him to put in place a roadmap to free and fair elections. It also said the African Union is committed to preserving the unity of Mali and would “spare no efforts” to safeguard the country's territorial integrity. A number of African countries have pledged to send troops to Mali, and on Tuesday the African Union will hold a conference of donors with hopes that money will be raised for the Mali force. The Peace and Security Council of the African Union urged member states to “seize the opportunity of the donors' conference ... to meaningfully contribute toward the mobilization of the necessary resources.” The council also urged the international community to contribute generously to the Mali force. Meanwhile, French and Malian troops regained control of the airport and bridge of the crucial, northern city of Gao on Saturday, marking their biggest advance yet in their bid to oust Al-Qaeda-linked extremists who have controlled northern Mali for months, military officials said.— AP
