President Akufo-Addo, Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has urged African leaders to remain resolute in restoring peace in Mali.

Speaking at an emergency extraordinary session of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, the President further entreated leaders to concertedly help bring political and security stability in Mali.

“I urge Your Excellencies to remain resolute in supporting the people of Mali to finding a peaceful solution and restoring democracy and stability in the country. In this respect, we must critically examine the dynamics of the situation and make informed decisions.

“I am using this opportunity to reiterate, on behalf of ECOWAS, our continued commitment to the peaceful transition in Mali; with the basic goal of restoring democratic governance and working for the stability of Mali and our region”.

Suspension of Mali

Ghana’s foreign minister, Shirley Atorkor Botchwey, during the meeting disclosed that, West African leaders have suspended Mali from their regional bloc over a coup last week.

According to her, the 15-nation bloc, the Economic Community of West African States, “is worried about the security implications for West Africa, because of the continued insecurity brought about by the political upheavals in that country”.

At the end of their summit, the heads of state of the ECOWAS member nations demanded that Malian authorities immediately release former transitional President Bah N’Daw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane who are being kept under house arrest.

In their statement, the leaders condemned the arrests by Mali’s military. This, they explained, violated mediation steps agreed to after a coup led Col. Assimi Goita.

ECOWAS also called for a new civilian prime minister to be nominated immediately. Additionally, it called for a new inclusive government to be formed as well as a transition of power. Following this, ECOWAS maintains that a monitoring mechanism will be put in place to ensure this.

“Strong and deep concerns [have been expressed] over the present crisis in Mali which is coming halfway to the end of the agreed transition period, in the context of the security challenges related to incessant terrorist attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic with its dire socio-economic impacts”.

Goita named leader

However, Mali’s constitutional court on Friday named Goita as its government leader. This happened days after he seized power by deposing the president.

The court said Friday’s decision was due to the “vacancy in the presidency”.

Goïta defended the removal of President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane as necessary. According to him, they have failed in their duties and were seeking to sabotage the country’s transition.

The deposed interim president and prime minister had been appointed following the August 2020 coup led by Goita.

That coup, against then-President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, led to mediations by ECOWAS and Nigeria’s former leader, Goodluck Jonathan.

The transitional government was set up with Goita as transitional vice president. Elections were to be held in February and March 2022.

After taking power, Goita assured that the elections would still be held. However, it remains unclear what part the military would play in the government.