ECOWAS Lifts Mali Sanctions despite Military Dominating Transition Government

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has lifted wide-ranging sanctions imposed on Mali following the military coup on August 18. The move by Africa’s regional body comes following the announcement of Mali’s 25-member Transition Government on Monday.

Retired Col. Bah Ndaw, is president of the 18-month transition government with military junta leader Col Assimi Goita as vice president and former Foreign Minister Moctar Ouane as Prime Minister.

Military officers occupy four key portfolios for national security, defence, national reconciliation, and regional administration in the new government.

In the statement announcing the lifting of sanctions, the Chair of ECOWAS Authority and Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo called on the Mali government to comply with other demands by the regional body, including the dissolution of the ruling military council and release detainees.

He said the junta has explained in the Transition Charter that the vice president is in charge of defense and security, but would never replace the transition president.

It remains unclear if the new government enjoys the support of Malians, especially, the opposition coalition M5-RFP, which spearheaded national protests that preceded the military sacking of the government of elected president Ibrahim Keita.

The coalition would appear to have been sidelined.

By Abel Ejikeme

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