…as Nigeria calls for speedy activation of a regional standby force
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has suspended Mali from the body’s decision-making bodies with immediate effect, the regional body said Tuesday.
The action was in response to a military coup on Tuesday that toppled the government of that country.
This came as Nigeria, the sub-regional body’s biggest member, called for a speedy establishment of a standby force over the crisis.
ECOWAS also denied the soldiers involved in the coup in any form of legitimacy. It also demanded the immediate release of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita who has been in detention.
ECOWAS said in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday that the military action would impact negatively on the country’s socio-politically.
ECOWAS Mali’s neighbors to close all land and air borders, as well as a halt to all economic, trade and financial flows and transactions between ECOWAS member states and Mali, and encourages all partners to do the same;
“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 a negative impact on peace and stability in Mali and in the Sub-Region, 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 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.”
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, said the establishment of the standby force was urgent.
“The Nigerian Government unequivocally condemns the coup d’état that took place in #Mali Monday and demands the immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order. We welcome the urgent activation of the #ECOWAS Standby force,” he said in a tweet on Wednesday.
The Malian soldiers had said earlier on Wednesday that they were ready to restore stability and oversee a transition to elections within a “reasonable” period.
Colonel-Major Ismael Wague – a spokesman for the coup-makers who go by the name National Committee for the Salvation of the People, said they acted to prevent Mali from falling further into chaos
“The social and political tension has undermined the proper functioning of the country for quite a while.
“Mali descends into chaos day by day (with) anarchy and insecurity because of the fault of the people in charge of its destiny,” Wague said.
“We are not keen on power, but we are keen on the stability of the country, which will allow us to organize general elections to allow Mali to equip itself with strong institutions within the reasonable time limit,” he added.
He said all international agreements will still be respected and international forces, including the UN mission in Mali and G5 Sahel, will remain in place “for the restoration of stability”.
“The coup leaders also remain ‘committed to the Algiers process’ – a 2015 peace agreement between the Malian government and armed groups in the north of the country,” he said.
