The Mali conflict mirrors the plight of many countries in Africa. Years of tribal rifts, religious feuds and abject poverty have made them the world's least developed countries.

But there is some good news for the continent, too. Six of the world's 10 fastest growing economies of the past 10 years are in Africa. That explains why participants at the 20th Arab Union Summit, which concluded in Addis Ababa on Monday under the theme of "Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance", continue to be optimistic about the region's economic development this year.

The stark contrast between instability in West and North Africa and robust economic growth south of Sahara provides much food for thought. Once African countries learn to tackle their ingrained problems and maintain social stability, they can give full play to their potential.

Now that France says it has driven the Malian rebels into the desert and mountains in the country's north and claims its "mission" to be a success, the military intervention should end as soon as possible so that the peace-building process could begin.

While the United Nations mulls plans to deploy a new peacekeeping force in Mali in the next few days to help pacify the country's north, the international community should take measures to help the Malian government establish lasting peace. The world community's efforts, however, should not be restricted to Mali; it should extend to other countries in the region. If the world community fails to do so, it could soon have another "scar" on its conscience.

The author is a senior writer with China Daily. E-mail: wanghui@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 02/02/2013 page5)