ECOWAS Suspends Mali Over Military Coup, Directs West African Countries To Close Borders

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has suspended Mali from all its decision-making bodies with immediate effect.

This is coming following a military coup that led to the resignation of the Malian President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and his government on Tuesday, August 18, 2020.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, ECOWAS stated that the military action will impact negatively on the country’s socio-politically.

The regional body noted that Mali was suspended in line with the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and will remain in place until effective constitutional order is reinstated in the country.

The West African community also closed all land and air borders, as well as a halt to all economical, trade and financial flows and transactions between ECOWAS member states and Mali, and encourages all partners to do the same.

“Following its statement published on August 18, reporting on an on-going mutiny within the Malian Armed Forces, ECOWAS has noted with great concern the seizure of power by Malian military putschists.

“This seizure of power intervenes within a difficult socio-political context.

“Indeed, ECOWAS recalls that a mediation process has been on-going during the past two months, with a view to finding a solution to this crisis.

“Following this power grab by Malian military putschists, which is likely to have a negative impact on peace and stability in Mali and in sub- region, ECOWAS utterly condemns the overthrowing of President Ibrahim Boubacar Kéita’s democratically elected government,” the community said in the statement.

It said that ECOWAS “categorically denies any kind of legitimacy to the putschists and demands the immediate reinstatement of the constitutional order.

“Reminds the military of 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 all officials 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.

“Requests the immediate activation of the ECOWAS Standby Force, and demands the immediate implementation of sanctions against all putschists as well as their partners and collaborators.”

It added that in a bid to salvage the situation, the ECOWAS body has decided to dispatch a high-level delegation to ensure the country’s immediate return to constitutional order.

Meanwhile, the Soldiers who overthrew Malian president in a coup d’état also on Wednesday said they were ready to restore stability and form a civilian transitional government that will organise fresh elections in Mali.