The Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has given Mali a one-week period effective September 15, 2020, to either form a transitioning government or face mixed sanctions.
The sanctions include the closure of all land and air borders, freezing of all financial transactions, and freezing of economic and trade flows between ECOWAS Member States and Mali, with the exception of basic essentials, medication and supplies and equipment for the fight against COVID-19, petroleum products and electricity.
Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration said this at a media briefing in Accra on Wednesday.
The decision was arrived at in a Consultative Meeting convened by the Chair of the Authority, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and members of the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP), Mali, on September 15, 2020, at Peduase in the Eastern Region on the political situation in Mali. Mali’s President, Mr Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta was overthrown on August 18, 2020.
Madam Botchwey said following extensive deliberations on the architecture and road map for the transition presented by the delegation of the CNSP led by Colonel Assimi Goita, the Heads of State made a number of decisions.
Madam Botchwey said once a civilian-led transition government had assumed office, ECOWAS within the context of its protocols, would fully assist Mali to return to constitutional rule.
Sanctions, she said, would also be lifted immediately the Transition President and Prime Minister were appointed.
Source: GhanaFeed.Com