Following Mali's political turmoil, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has imposed new sanctions.
All ECOWAS Ambassadors have been withdrawn from Mali, and all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Mali have been suspended save for the following products: consumer items; pharmaceuticals; medical supplies and equipment, including COVID-19 control materials; and electricity
Other sanctions against the military junta include freezing Mali's assets in ECOWAS Central Banks, the Malian State's assets in Commercial Banks, and the suspension of any financial support and transactions with financial institutions.
All this came to light while Vice President Yemi Osinbajo represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government Extraordinary Summit in Accra, Ghana, on Sunday.
ECOWAS has pledged never to recognize coups de'tats, or unconstitutional takeovers of government.
“It's clear there is a tremendous resolve, which is why we are here today,” he said. We hope that the efforts done would help the Mali junta.”
In response to concerns about good governance and democratic businesses in the sub-region, ECOWAS issued sanctions against Guinea and Mali.
The Extraordinary Summit also rejected the Malian military junta's proposed transition timeline, calling it "absolutely unacceptable".
The Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government has urged all Community institutions to take immediate steps to execute these sanctions, according to a communiqué obtained by DAILY POST.
The statement further stated that sanctions will be gradually eased once a satisfactory transition chronogram has been devised and implemented.
Concerning the turmoil in Guinea, ECOWAS expressed worry over the poor pace of transition four months after the coup.
The leaders regretted the lack of an electoral chronogram and the National Council of Transition (CNT).
It then ordered a team to Conakry to discuss the transfer.
President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, who opened the Summit, praised West African leaders' dedication to the sub-progress. region's
You have demonstrated your commitment to responding to urgent and critical emerging crises in the area throughout the year 2021,” President Akufo-Addo stated.
The Authority has convened six Extraordinary Summits since I took over as chair, and Your Excellencies have attended all six. It reflects your vision and commitment to the ECOWAS's progress.”
Presidents Macky Sall of Senegal, George Weah of Liberia, Patrice Talon of Benin, Roch Marc Christian Kaboré of Burkina Faso, and Alassane Ouattara of Côte d'Ivoire were also present at the Summit.
Vice President Isatou Touray of The Gambia and Presidents Umaro Embal of Guinea-Bissau and Mohamed Bazoum of Niger Republic were also present.
Among those present were former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who is the ECOWAS Mediator for Mali, and ECOWAS Commission President Jean-Claude Kassi Brou.
-dailypost.ng
