The African Union (AU) has said is committed to mediate Mali and the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS), after the community closes its borders with the country.
Early this month, ECOWAS imposed several economic sanctions on Mali, including the closure of the borders, suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between the ECOWAS Member States and Mali, freeze of assets of the Republic of Mali in ECOWAS Central Banks and freezing of assets of the Malian State and the State Enterprises and Parastatals in Commercial Banks;
Due to their necessity, some food products, pharmaceutical products, medical supplies and equipment, including materials for the control of COVID-19, petroleum products and electricity were barred by the sanctions.
This comes as a diplomatic retaliation that was taken by the community towards a transitional military regime led by Colonel Assimi Goïta, who failed to prepare for the presidential election and a peaceful transition of power as it was committed.
“The Authority deeply deplores the obvious and blatant lack of political will from the Transition authorities, that led to the absence of any tangible progress in the preparations for the elections, despite the willingness of ECOWAS and all regional and international partners to support Mali in this process.” the resolution of the extra-ordinary meeting that gathered on 9 this month said.
The decision was agreed upon by the African Union delegation in Bamako yesterday and was led by the President of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, where the delegation was trying to reach an agreement between Mali and ECOWAS as Mali pointed out that the sanctions imposed were too strong.
With reference to current tensions in the region, political experts believe that Mali’s precedent coup d’ etat inspired other coups in the western part of Africa.
