BAMAKO, Mali
Mali has been suspended from the
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) decision making bodies with
immediate effect.
ECOWAS decision followed the
recent military forceful takeover of government in that country.
Besides,
the Coupist have been denied all kind of legitimacy by the regional body, while
also demanding the immediate release of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita who
have been in detention.In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, ECOWAS
stated that the military action will impact negatively on the country’s
socio-politically.
The
regional body also closed all land and air borders, as well as a halt to all
economical, trade and financial flows and transactions between ECOWAS member
states and Mali, and encourages all partners to do the same;
The
statement reads: “Following its statement published during the day of August
18th, 2020, 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 last two
months, with a view to find a solution to this crisis.
Following
this power grab by Malian military Putschists, this is likely to have negative
impact on peace and stability in Mali and in the Sub-Region, ECOWAS.
“Utterly
condemns the overthrowing of President Ibrahim Boubacar Kéita’s democratically
elected Government;
“Categorically
denies any kind of legitimacy to the putschists and demands the immediate
reinstatement of the constitutional order;
“Reminds
the military 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 of 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.”
Meanwhile,
the Soldiers who overthrew Mali’s president in a coup d’état also on Wednesday
said they were ready to restore stability and oversee a transition to elections
within a “reasonable” period.
Colonel-Major
Ismael Wague – a spokesman for the coup-makers calling themselves the National
Committee for the Salvation of the People – said they acted to prevent Mali
from falling further into chaos. Wague said, “The social and political
tension has undermined the proper functioning of the country for quite a while.
“Mali
descends into chaos day by day (with) anarchy and insecurity because of the
fault of the people in charge of its destiny. Real democracy doesn’t go with
complacency, nor weakness of the state.
While
inviting the general public to join them in rebuilding the country, Wague
assured the people that “We are not keen on power, but we are keen on the
stability of the country, which will allow us to organise general elections to
allow Mali to equip itself with strong institutions within the reasonable time
limit.”
Wague
said all international agreements will still be respected and international
forces, including the UN mission in Mali and G5 Sahel will remain in place “for
the restoration of stability”.
“The coup leaders also remain ‘committed to the Algiers processes – a 2015 peace agreement between the Malian government and armed groups in the north of the country,” Wague said. - Africa
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