Seydou Keita calls for peace in Mali following Afcon win against Gabon

Mali international Seydou Keita tearfully called on fighters in northern Mali to drop their arms and maintain national unity, after the team’s qualification to the semi-finals of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.

The Barcelona midfielder told reporters at the Amitie Stadium in Libreville that he and his team-mates couldn’t celebrate their victory over hosts Gabon because of the ongoing armed conflict in the country.

“It’s hard for us. We were supposed to be happy after beating Gabon, but we are sad,” Keita said. “This victory is for the Malian people, everybody. What we as the national team footballers want is peace in entire Mali. We are one people, whether you are from the north or south, we are all Malians.

“We want the fighting and killings in northern Mali to stop, that is why we are sending forth this message. We are not use to troubles and wars. Today’s victory should help reunite us the more,” he said.

Heavy fighting broke out last month between the Malian army and Touareg rebels of the National Movement for the Liberation of the Azawad (MNLA) – a separatist’s movement fighting to create an independent state in northern Mali.

More than 20 rebels were killed on Saturday in renewed clashes, with tens of thousands of civilians reported to have fled the Timbuktu region.

Mali ousted Gabon from the competition on a penalty shootout after a 1-1 stalemate in normal time, with the Panthers’ Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fluffing one of his side’s kicks and Seydou Keita knocking in the winner to send Mali into the semi-finals.