ECOWAS suspends Mali over coup

Estimated read time 3 min read
0 0
Read Time:2 Minute, 22 Second

Heads of State of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have suspended the Republic of Mali from the regional body, ordering the military leaders who are currently in charge of the nation to restore the transitional arrangement put in place in August 2020 with the aim of returning the troubled West African state to democratic rule by 27th February 2022.

ECOWAS heads of state took this decision on the 30th day of May 2021 after over five hours of deliberations at an extraordinary summit on the Malian situation at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra.

Addressing the press after the summit, Ghanaā€™s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, said the heads of state expect the Malian Military junta to work closely with the ECOWAS Secretariat forthwith to ensure that the existing transitional arrangement is restored by first appointing a civil leader to lead the process.

ā€œThe decision of the heads of state is to go according to the protocol on democracy and good governance to suspend Mali from ECOWAS but at the same time, work with ECOWAS to ensure that the transition is on track towards the end goal which is to return the people of Mali to democratic rule,ā€ Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey said.

Enjoy all ur favorite radio stations around the worldĀ  on tuneon RadioĀ  Click on the link to listen
The Communique

According to a ten (10) paragraph communique issued by ECOWAS at the end of the summit, the ECOWAS heads of state ā€œstrongly condemn this recent Coup dā€™Etat, which is a violation of the decisions taken at the extraordinary Summit held at the Peduase Lodge, Aburi, Ghana on 15th September 2020 and a violation of the Transition Charterā€.

The communique further stated that ā€œafter extensive discussions on the situation in Mali, the Heads of State and Government decided ā€œto reaffirm the importance and necessity of respecting the democratic process for ascending to power, in conformity with the 2001 ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. They particularly condemn all actions that led to ongoing instability in Mali, and its attendant consequences in the regionā€.

ECOWAS ā€œcall for a new civilian Prime Minister to be nominated immediately, a new inclusive government should be formed to proceed with the transition programme, reaffirm the need to respect the transition period of 18 months decided in Accra. In this context, the date of 27th February 2022 already announced for the Presidential election should be absolutely maintained. A monitoring Mechanism will be put in place to this effectā€.

The communique again, reiterated ā€œthe earlier decisions that the Head of the transition, the Vice-President and the Prime Minister of the transition should not, under any circumstances, be candidates for the forthcoming Presidential election and reaffirmedā€ ECOWASā€™ support to accompany the transition process in Maliā€.

Source:Ā starrfm.com.gh
Use your ← → (arrow) keys to browse

Happy
Happy
0 %
Sad
Sad
0 %
Excited
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
Angry
0 %
Surprise
Surprise
0 %

You May Also Like

More From Author