Mali’s military leader Assimi Goita on Monday said that he is open to dialogue with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) after the regional bloc imposed sanctions on Bamako over delayed elections, reported France 24.
On Sunday, the West African regional bloc announced the closure of borders with the Sahel state and imposed a trade embargo. It also agreed to cut financial aid, recall its ambassadors from the country as well as freeze Mali’s assets at the Central Bank of West African States.
Flights from ECOWAS member countries to Mali also have been halted.
“Even if we regret the illegitimate, illegal and inhumane nature of certain decisions, Mali remains open to dialogue with the Economic Community of West African States to find a consensus,” Goïta said on state TV.
However, he did not give any detail on how his regime would respond to the latest sanctions. Mali’s junta has said that the new ECOWAS sanctions will affect the people who are already severely affected by the security crisis and the health crisis.
The sanctions were imposed after Mali’s ruling military body announced a proposal last month to stay in power for up to five years before holding elections in the country. ECOWAS rejected the revised proposal regime.
In August 2020, Colonel Assimi Goita led the Malian military to oust president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in a coup that led to a wave of sanctions from ECOWAS. The military leader had promised to restore civilian rule in February 2022 presidential and legislative elections.
But in May last year, he staged another coup that staged out an interim civilian government, disrupting the reform timetable. The move received widespread diplomatic condemnation.
While ECOWAS continues to insist on February elections, Mali’s military regime argues that the rampant insecurity situation in the country would be a hindrance to peaceful elections.
