African Union says "never again" to coups

African leaders wrapped up a three-day summit here Tuesday, calling for action on coups and increasing pressure on Madagascar's political foes to honor deals meant to end a prolonged crisis.

The newly elected chairman of the 53-member African Union, President Bingu wa Mutharika of Malawi, called on his peers to stand against conflicts and toppling of governments.

"We must say 'never again' to conflict and war in Africa," said Mutharika, who took the bloc's leadership from Libyan Muammar Gaddafi, whose controversial stance on the continent's issues was often at odds with pan-African body.

"We must declare war on unconstitutional changes of government on African soil and resolve to take strong and necessary measures against all offenders of coups and those that provide them the means to succeed elected governments," Mutharika said.

The AU in 2002 replaced the Organization for African Unity (OAU) in 2002, which had been criticized for welcoming dictators and coup leaders into its ranks. The AU tried to distance itself from its predecessor by introducing sanctions against despots.

We must say 'never again' to conflict and war in Africa

AU Chairman Bingu wa Mutharika of Malawi

Pressure on Madagascar

The AU's Peace and Security Commissioner Ramtane Lamamra said earlier Tuesday that the bloc had adopted a resolution upping the pressure on Madagascar leader Andry Rajoelina, who seized power in a coup in March and did not attend the summit.

"We have already started getting replies from some of the parties but we are waiting for the response of the party that took the unilateral decisions that have called into question the agreements," Lamamra said.

The AU's approach to Madagascar was last year typical of internal discord, with Gaddafi breaking from the tough stance of the organisation's executive regarding the Antananarivo regime.

In a declaration Tuesday, the bloc urged the "illegal regime in Madagascar to desist from attempts to impose unilateral solutions to the crisis."

Rajoelina has spurned power-sharing deals reached in Mozambique and Addis Ababa between him and Marc Ravalomanana, the president he ousted, and two other former presidents.

The AU said these agreements "remain the only legitimate roadmap for a comprehensive solution to the Madagascar crisis and urges a speedy and faithful implementation."

We have already started getting replies from some of the parties but we are waiting for the response of the party that took the unilateral decisions that have called into question the agreements

Peace and Security Commissioner Ramtane Lamamra

Sudan and al-Qaeda

The African leaders also discussed the situation in Sudan, where tension has been escalating in the run-up to a 2011 referendum in which the south is widely expected to choose independence from Khartoum.

Many observers fear that secession in Sudan -- Africa's largest country, bordering nine others -- could further destabilize one of the continent's most volatile regions.

Senegal's president has been trying to drum up support for the fight against al-Qaeda's North African branch, saying the network's campaign was taking on "new and disturbing" forms.

Abdoulaye Wade appealed to Senegal's neighbors to join a round table with neighboring countries to tackle resolve the issue of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

"This desert terrorism is taking new and very disturbing forms... But countries like Senegal, or Mali, can do nothing on their own. It is an international problem. Western powers will have to intervene too," he said in an interview.

This desert terrorism is taking new and very disturbing forms... But countries like Senegal, or Mali, can do nothing on their own. It is an international problem. Western powers will have to intervene too

Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade