ECOWA suspends Mali, demands release of Kantie

By Maureen Ikpeama

 

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS),  Tuesday, 18Th August, 2020,  suspended Mali 's membership, closed its member states’ borders with the country, following Soldiers mutiny. It also demanded for an immediate release of the elected president of the country, Ibrahim Kiate , others .

 

The Soldiers had  held the elected president of the country  Ibrahim Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse in hostage, forced Keita to resign.

 

 In a statement released on Tuesday,  ECOWAS  noted with great concern, the seizure of power by Malian military Putschists. The statement reads:

 

    “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,  " it stated.

 

    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.

 

    The spokesperson of the Soldiers, Colonel-Major Ismail Wague who called  themselves the "National Committee for the Salvation of the People "– said they acted to prevent Mali from falling further into chaos.

 

    He 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 s

 

    He  invited the general public to join them in rebuilding the country, sayig: “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.”

 

    He said that 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,” adding that they remained particularly ‘committed to the Algiers process’ – a 2015 peace agreement between the Malian government and armed groups in the north of the country.”