ECOWAS maintains sanctions against Mali and regrets the absence of the coup president in the talks

MADRID, March 26. (Royals Blue) –

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has decided to maintain the current sanctions against Mali in response to the coup in the African country after once again expressing concern about the “deterioration of the security situation” in the country, according to a statement published on its website.

Although Mali’s military junta, led by Assimi Goita, announced in February the creation of a “dialogue group” with ECOWAS, the African Union (AU) and the United Nations to find a solution to the demands of the international community and adopting a consensual calendar, Goita has shown his desire to prolong the democratic transition between four and five years, compared to the 16 months proposed by ECOWAS.

Goita led a coup in August 2020 that overthrew the then president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. The military junta appointed a transitional president and prime minister, although both were toppled in a second coup in May 2021 that ultimately elevated the coup leader to the post of transitional president.

In this sense, ECOWAS regretted Goita’s absence when it came to “physically honoring the invitation made to him to participate in the Summit to find a solution to the current situation in Mali.”

Likewise, “it expresses its deep concern about the deterioration of security”, plagued by “attacks by terrorist groups that are leading to the deaths of soldiers and civilians” and “urges the transition authorities to redouble efforts to improve it.”