The African Union (AU) on Friday announced that it has totally rejected the declaration of "Independence" by a rebel group in northern Mali.

Jean Ping, Chairperson of the AU Commission has expressed AU's total rejection of the statement made by an armed group, the "National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA)", regarding the so-called "independence" of "Azawad."

According to the press statement AU issued on Friday, the Chairperson has firmly condemned the announcement, which is null and of no value whatsoever.

Ping called on the international community as a whole to fully support the principled position of Africa.

The Chairperson recalled the fundamental principle of the intangibility of borders inherited by the African countries at their accession to independence and reiterates AU's unwavering commitment to the national unity and territorial integrity of Mali.

He stressed that the AU and its member states will spare no efforts to contribute to the restoration of the authority of the Republic of Mali on its entire territory, and bring to an end the attacks being carried out by armed and terrorist groups in the northern part of the country.

Recently the Pan-African institution announced that working closely with all stakeholders, it is taking the necessary steps to apply individual sanctions to the leaders and members of armed groups involved in the attacks in northern Mali and in atrocities against the civilian population, as well as to compile a list of all terrorist and other armed groups operating in conjunction with them on the territory of Mali, for their inclusion in the AU's list of terrorist groups.

The Chairperson further reaffirmed AU's full support to the efforts by the Economic Community of Western African States (ECOWAS) to take concrete steps to protect the unity and territorial integrity of Mali, including through the deployment of its standby brigade.

To this end, he called upon all AU member states and partners to extend the necessary support to ECOWAS.

The AU will continue to work closely with the core countries, ECOWAS and its member states, to further strengthen Africa's collective response to the current challenges in Mali, as well as to mobilize political support and assistance from the larger international community.

Meanwhile the AU said it has strongly condemned the intrusion of armed elements into the Consulate of Algeria in Gao, and the abduction of personnel from the mission, including the Consul, who were driven to an unknown destination.

The Chairperson has stressed the gravity of the action committed by the authors of these reprehensible acts against internationally-protected diplomatic personnel and premises, and demands the immediate release of all abductees.

He reiterated the commitment of the AU, within the framework of its relevant instruments and decisions of its Peace and Security (PSC), to spare no effort in strengthening universal and intra- African cooperation, in order to prevent and combat terrorism. In addition, he reaffirmed the urgency of restoring the authority of the Republic of Mali on its entire national territory, and the imperative of the return, without further delay, to constitutional order in the country.