ECOWAS Announces Suspension Of Mali From Decision-Making Bodies

By Emmanuel Awosika

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced its decision to suspend Mali from its decision-making bodies.

In a statement released by the organization’s Directorate of Communications, ECOWAS said the suspension was informed by its Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and would remain in place, pending the restoration of constitutional order in the country.

The body added that it had commenced moves to shut down the country’s borders and also restrict economic activities between the ECOWAS member states and the crisis-torn country.

ECOWAS expressed its displeasure at the mutiny in the nation’s military, which had led to the arrest and subsequent resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Kéita, calling for his immediate release.

The organization’s statement partly reads: “Following its statement published on Aug. 18, reporting on an on-going mutiny within the Malian Armed Forces, ECOWAS has noted with great concern the seizure of power by Malian military putschists.

“This seizure of power intervenes within a difficult socio-political context.

“Indeed, ECOWAS recalls that a mediation process has been on-going during the past two months, with a view to finding a solution to this crisis.

“Following this power grab by Malian military putschists, which is likely to have a negative impact on peace and stability in Mali and in sub- region, ECOWAS utterly condemns the overthrowing of President Ibrahim Boubacar Kéita’s democratically elected government.”

Continuing, the ECOWAS said it wouldn’t grant legitimacy to the putschists and demanded that law and order be restored in the nation of Mali.

In the statement, ECOWAS “Reminds the military of their accountability for the safety and security of President Ibrahim Boubacar Kéita and officials arrested.

“Demands the immediate release of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and all official arrested.

“Suspends Mali from all ECOWAS decision-making bodies with immediate effect, as per the Additional Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, and this, until effective reinstatement of the constitutional order.

“Decides to close all land and air borders, as well as to stop all economical, trade and financial flows and transactions between ECOWAS member states and Mali, and encourages all partners to do the same.

“Requests the immediate activation of the ECOWAS Standby Force, and demands the immediate implementation of sanctions against all putschists as well as their partners and collaborators.”

Finally, the organization indicated it had sent a high-level delegation to Mali to facilitate the country’s return to constitutional order.