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Mali: ECOWAS warns junta – may re-impose sanctions
West Africa’s regional bloc – the economic community of West African states (ECOWAS) threatened Monday to re-impose sanctions on Mali, saying that the junta’s actions “appear clearly designed to disrupt the political transition” after a coup in the West African nation.
The statement came as Mali’s junta leader declared that the country would hold a national convention to choose a leader to rule until elections can be organized.
One of the key points of disagreement now between the junta and the ECOWAS is who should be president of Mali once the current interim president’s term ends May 22. ECOWAS would like the interim president to remain; junta leader Capt. Amadou Sanogo has said that this decision cannot be imposed on them.
“The ECOWAS Commission has observed with deep concern the worrying statements and actions emanating from members of the junta and their civilian associates in the last few days,” said a statement from ECOWAS.
The statement warned that Mali would again face sanctions if the putschists do not alter its behavior.
“Failure on the part of the junta and their civilian allies to clearly reaffirm their commitment to the transitional arrangement in the next few days … will be met with the immediate reinstatement of the targeted sanctions,” the statement said.
ECOWAS imposed heavy sanctions on Mali shortly after the March 21 coup, but lifted the measures a few days later when the junta agreed in principle to return the country to constitutional rule.
