Mali: ECOWAS calls on the military to return to barracks without delay
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - Afraid that the gunshots heard in the Malian capital on Tuesday might be signs of a military mutiny, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Tuesday called on the Malian military to lay down their arms and return to barracks without delay, official sources said.
"ECOWAS calls on the military to return without delay to their barracks, calling on all Malian stakeholders to prioritize dialogue to resolve the crisis facing their country," the statement said.
It reiterated "its firm opposition to any unconstitutional political change and invites the military to remain in a republican posture".
ECOWAS says it is following with great concern the developments in Mali since the morning of 18 August 2020, with a mutiny triggered in an already very complex socio-political context.
"The mutiny comes at a time when, for several months, ECOWAS has been taking initiatives and deploying mediation efforts between all Malian parties," the statement said.
ECOWAS "vigorously condemns the ongoing attempt and will take all necessary measures and actions to restore constitutional order, through the re-establishment of democratically-elected institutions, in accordance with the provisions of its Additional Protocol on Good Governance and Democracy".
Furthermore, ECOWAS reiterates its readiness, in conjunction with the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union and all Mali's multilateral and bilateral partners, to continue to support the Malian stakeholders in their efforts to resolve the crisis.
-0- PANA TNDD/IS/MTA/VAO 18Aug2020