EHIME ALEX, Lagos
Reacting to the political chaos currently ongoing in one of the West Africa countries, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has suspended Mali from all its decision-making bodies with immediate effect.
A statement by the community’s Directorate of Communications on Wednesday indicated that the suspension is in line with the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and would remain in place until effective constitutional order is reinstated in the country.
Officially the Republic of Mali, the country has been struggling to maintain stability since tens of thousands of opposition supporters accused President Ibrahim Keita of gross intimidation and vote-buying during a parliamentary election in April, which gave his administration a firm majority.
Soldiers had started mutiny early Tuesday in the garrison town of Kati, 15 kilometres north-west of Bamako, which resulted to the arrest of Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse, and subsequently to the resignation of Keita from office early Wednesday.
Reacting, ECOWAS said it had also closed all of the country’s land and air borders, stopped all economic, trade, and financial flows and transactions between ECOWAS member states and the country, urging all partners to do same.
The sub-regional body has strongly condemned the mutiny among soldiers which was followed by the arrest of President Ibrahim Boubacar Kéita and called for his immediate released.
“Following its statement published on Aug. 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 official 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 decides to dispatch a high-level delegation to ensure the country’s immediate return to constitutional order.
(additional report from NAN)
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