Western African ECOWAS bloc warns military-ruled Mali against attempts to delay February polls, threatening further sanctions if Bamako fails to return to the civilian rule
Economic Community of West African States suspended Mali following military coups in August 2020 and May 2021.
"The heads of state... decided to keep the of February 27, 2022 for elections in Mali," president of the West African ECOWAS bloc Jean-Claude Brou told reporters in Abuja on Sunday, adding sanctions would be imposed in January if Mali did not move to stage polls. The Economic Community of West African States suspended Mali following military coups in August 2020 and May 2021, sanctioning officials deemed responsible for delaying elections and threatening further measures.
ECOWAS also decided to maintain sanctions against the junta that seized power in Guinea on September 5, demanding a timetable for the return of civilian rule there.The head of Mali's transitional government, Colonel Assimi Goita justified postponing the election and holding a national consultation which he said would be "indispensable" for peace and stability.