The Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) has lifted the punitive sanctions imposed on Mali following a coup by the Military which overthrew the civilian leadership of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August. In a statement by the Chairman of ECOWAS and President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo on Tuesday disclosed that the West African leaders have decided lift the sanctions after Mali announced a 25-member Transition Government which will lead the country to elections as well as the appointment of former Foreign Minister Moctar Ouane as Prime Minister. ECOWAS had earlier said it was only going to lift the sanctions after a PM was appointed in efforts of returning to civilian rule.
Akufo-Addo said, "The political transition will last 18 months starting from 15 September, 2020. Once a civilian led transition is put in place, ECOWAS will support the Republic of Mali towards the restoration of constitutional order, in line with its relevant Protocol.
"Sanctions will be lifted when the Transition President and the Prime Minister are effectively designated. The Heads of States and Government took note of the recent nomination and swearing-in of Mr. Bah N’daw as a civilian President of the transition. They congratulate the President of the Transition and express ECOWAS Support for the implementation of his mission.
"The Heads of State and Government also took note of the nomination of Mr. Moctar Ouane, a civilian, as Prime Minister of the Transition. The nomination of the President and the Prime Minister of the Transition should lead to the formation of the government.
"Taking into consideration these important decisions for the normalization of constitutional order in Mali and in view of the need to support this process, the Heads of State and Government decide to lift the sanctions imposed on Mali. They call on all bilateral and multilateral partners to also support Mali," the ECOWAS chairman added.
