The West African regional bloc, ECOWAS has expressed worries over delays in Mali’s transition to civilian rule and also warned of additional economic sanctions if no progress is made to hold fresh elections scheduled for late February.
It would be recalled that Mali had witnessed military coups in August 2020 and May 2021, with the most recent leading to the overthrow of President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane.
ECOWAS also warned that there were no clear indications of a return to constitutional order in neighbouring Guinea, three months after the military toppled President Alpha Condé.
Guinea’s military junta had pledged to hold elections within six months of taking over power.
However, The Head of Mali‘s military-dominated government is to provide an election timetable by January 2022.
Head of Mali’s transitional government, Colonel Assimi Goita justified postponing the election and holding a national consultation which he said would be indispensable for peace and stability.
