The Authority and Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has lifted the economic and financial sanctions imposed on Mali.
The President of the ECOWAS, Mr. Jean Claude Kassi Brou, told a news conference on Sunday in Accra after the 61st ordinary session of ECOWAS leaders that the closure of Mali’s borders had been lifted and urged ECOWAS envoys to return to Mali.
He explained that the sanctions were lifted because the Malian military authorities had taken steps to establish an electoral code and monitoring mechanism, as well as adopted a new constitution, which would lead to elections in March 2024.
According to local media report on Monday, the ECOWAS President explained that the lifting of the sanctions placed on Mali in January would take immediate effect and that the sanctions imposed on individual would remain in place.
The reports added that Mali is still suspended from all activities of the regional body until constitutional order is restored.
Speaking on the situation in Burkina Faso, Mr. Brou said that the Junta had agreed to a 24 month period to return the country to democratic rule, starting from July 1, 2022.
He announced that ECOWAS Heads of State has also removed the Economic and financial sanctions placed on Burkina Faso.
In the case of Guinea, he said that the regional body rejected a 36-month transition arrangement proposed by the military authorities in Guinea.
He disclosed that the junta was urged to submit a new timetable by the end of the month, and a new mediator and former President Yayi Bonyi of Benin Republic, has been appointed to work with Guinea to ensure it meets the new arrangement by the deadline.
According to him, the ECOWAS leaders resolved to maintain the sanctions placed on individuals and members of the junta, and the suspension of Guinea from the activities of the regional body.
He, however, warned that the failure on the part of the Guinean authorities to propose an acceptable transition arrangement by the end of July would attract further economic and financial sanctions.
GIK/APA