Mali: ECOWAS calls for restoration of IBK to his duties, announces sanctions against putschists

The leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced the immediate dispatch of a high-level delegation to Bamako for the return of constitutional order, as well as a series of measures.

ECOWAS calls for the immediate release of Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta and officials, and above all the restoration of the Head of State to his duties. At the same time, the organization denies any form of legitimacy to the CNSP, and calls for sanctions against the pustchists and their collaborators, the sub-regional grouping said after a videoconference Thursday.

“The time of coups d’état is over,” says ECOWAS and this is the message it intends to convey to the junta. Mali is also suspended from all ECOWAS decision-making bodies with immediate effect.

The land and air borders are closed with the countries of ECOWAS. All economic flows and transactions are also stopped, with the exception of medicines, fuel and electricity.

The stated objective of ECOWAS is the return “as soon as possible, to calm and a normal institutional situation.”

The sub-regional institution fears that a collapse of the Malian State and institutions could lead to further setbacks in the face of terrorists.

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is available to continue his mission “to bring all positions closer together”, according to the organization, which also announces the “rise in power of the ECOWAS standby force”.

After the announcement of these decisions, the ECOWAS videoconference was extended to the African Union with the participation of its Chairman, South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa.

Several world powers, including France urged restoration of constitutional order in Mali, while the UN urged the immediate release of arrested government members.