Regional bloc ECOWAS suspends Mali after Accra summit

West African leaders suspended Mali from their regional bloc Sunday over a coup last week, Ghanaian President however believes Ecowas must remain resolute in supporting the people of Mali to find a peaceful resolution.

"I urge your excellencies to remain resolute in supporting the people of Mali to find a peaceful solution and restore democracy and stability in the country.

"In this respect, we must critically examine the dynamics of the current situation and make informed decisions. And thus using this opportunity to reiterate, on behalf of ECOWAS, our continued commitment to the peaceful transition in Mali," stressed Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana.

ECOWAS continued to urged all international partners, including the African Union, the United Nations, and the European Union, to support the successful implementation of the transition in Mali.

"So, heads of state have resolved (that) the mediator will remain in place and continue to engage the Malian Authority to ensure that, and of course the ECOWAS commission and we are asking and appealing to all the international communities to engage Mali and to assist Mali on the path, so that they do not derail from the conditions," said Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Ghana's Foreign minister.

Mali's new president Colonel Assimi Goita seized power by deposing the president and prime minister before forcing their resignations, a move regional bloc leaders condemned and said violated mediation steps.

The Communique

According to a ten (10) paragraph communique issued by ECOWAS at the end of the summit, the ECOWAS heads of state “strongly condemn this recent Coup d’Etat, which is a violation of the decisions taken at the extraordinary Summit held at the Peduase Lodge, Aburi, Ghana on 15th September 2020 and a violation of the Transition Charter”.

The communique further stated that “after extensive discussions on the situation in Mali, the Heads of State and Government decided “to reaffirm the importance and necessity of respecting the democratic process for ascending to power, in conformity with the 2001 ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. They particularly condemn all actions that led to ongoing instability in Mali, and its attendant consequences in the region”.

ECOWAS “calls for a new civilian Prime Minister to be nominated immediately, a new inclusive government should be formed to proceed with the transition programme, reaffirm the need to respect the transition period of 18 months decided in Accra.

"In this context, the date of 27th February 2022 already announced for the Presidential election should be absolutely maintained. A monitoring Mechanism will be put in place to this effect.”

The communique again, reiterated “the earlier decisions that the Head of the transition, the Vice-President and the Prime Minister of the transition should not, under any circumstances, be candidates for the forthcoming Presidential election and reaffirmed” ECOWAS’ support to accompany the transition process in Mali”.