…demands immediate release of ousted President Keita
FOLLOWING Tuesday’s coup, the Economic Community of West African States has suspended Mali from its decision making bodies with immediate effect.
The regional body has also denied the rebel military leaders all kind of legitimacy, and has demanded the immediate release of President Ibrahim Keita from detention.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, ECOWAS noted that it had decided to close all air and land borders, as well as stop all trade and financial flows between Mali and member states.
The statement said, “Following its statement published during the day of August 18th, 2020, 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 last two months, with a view to find a solution to this crisis. Following this power grab by Malian military Putschists, this is likely to have negative impact on peace and stability in Mali and in the Sub-Region.”
In this regard, the statement said ECOWAS:
“Utterly condemns the overthrowing of President Ibrahim Boubacar Kéita’s democratically elected Government;
“Categorically denies any kind of legitimacy to the putschists and demands the immediate reinstatement of the constitutional order;
“Reminds the military 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 of 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.”
