Mali coup: AU tasks Malian defence forces to ensure return to civilian rule
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) – The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) has asked the Defence and Security Forces of Mali to ensure creation of a conducive environment for an unimpeded return to civilian rule.
Strongly condemning the unconstitutional change of Government in Mali, which took place on 18 August 2020, the Council has underscored the urgent need for a rapid resolution of the current crisis based on respect for constitutional order and reflecting the aspirations of the people of Mali.
In a communiqué issued at its meeting on the situation in Mali, the PSC stated that the change of Government “further complicates the situation on the ground, particularly the implementation of the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement for Mali emanating from the Algiers process, signed in 2015, as well as the current efforts in the fight against terrorism and transnational organised crime in the country”.
Besides affirming Mali’s immediate suspension in all activities of the AU, the Council said that it looks forward to the outcome of the Summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held on 20 August 2020.
According to the communiqué, the suspension will be in force until the restoration of normal constitutional order in Mali, in line with the relevant AU instruments, particularly the AU Constitutive Act, the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, and the 2000 Lomé Declaration on Unconstitutional Changes of Governments.
Others are the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, as well as the Ezulwini Framework for the Enhancement of the Implementation of AU Measures in Situations of Unconstitutional Changes of Government (2009).
The PSC has emphasised that the Malian Defence and Security Forces should respect the country’s Constitution, uphold their professionalism, stick to their constitutional mandate and unconditionally return to the barracks, as well as refrain from interfering in the country’s political processes.
It encouraged all Malian political actors to embrace dialogue and reconciliation, within the framework of the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement for Mali, as the only viable approach for addressing the current challenges facing the country.
-0- PANA AR/MA 21Aug2020
