ECOWAS will lift sanctions on Mali after its requirements are met
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - The Resident Representative in Mali of the President of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Prof. Hamidou Boly, said Wednesday in Bamako, after an audience with Malian new Prime Minister Moctar Ouane, that sanctions against the country will be lifted as soon as it complies with the requirements of the sub-regional organisation.
Prof. Boly indicated that it was not with the glee of heart that these sanctions were taken against Mali.
"It is our fundamental texts that require it and demand that when power changes in an unconstitutional way, the country be hit by these sanctions", explained Boly, adding that these sanctions are being implemented to bring the country back on track quickly.
"As soon as Mali submits to ECOWAS requirements, the sanctions will be completely lifted," he assured, stressing that great strides have been made, including the appointment of a civilian president and prime minister.
"There are still some small details at the level of the Transition Charter concerning the attributes of the Vice President, which must be well clarified so that it does not pose any ambiguity in the future," said Mr Boly, who referred to the release of personalities detained since August 18.
"A detention that is not in line with the concepts of human rights," he said.
Boly said that the sanctions against Mali are not harsh, but moderate while noting that they allow the import of basic necessities.
"We take into account the lives of people so that they are not affected," said the ECOWAS Commission representative.
According to him, ECOWAS is in Mali at the disposal of the authorities of the country to help them move things forward.
Following the appointment of a civilian President and Prime Minister to lead the Transition, in accordance with ECOWAS requirements, the eyes of Malians are now turned to the sub-regional organisation for the lifting of sanctions.
In addition to the appointment of a civilian President and Prime Minister, ECOWAS demands that the Vice President deals only with defence and security issues and calls for the dissolution of the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP), created by the military junta in the aftermath of the coup d'état against President Ibrahim Boubacar Kéita on August 18.
In the charter drawn up at the end of the national consultations, held from 10-12 September to set up the organs of the Transition, it is mentioned that the Vice President, in addition to defence and security, will have to deal with the rebuilding of the state, which ECOWAS rejects, believing that this prerogative belongs to the President of the Transition.
-0- PANA GT/JSG/MTA/AR 1Oct2020
