The ECOWAS leaders meeting decided to lift economic and financial sanctions imposed on Mali, after its military rulers proposed a 24-month transition to democracy and published a new electoral law.
The leaders from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) met on July 3rd in Accra, Ghana to review efforts taken to restore civilian rule in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso. The ECOWAS leader’s meeting decided to lift economic and financial sanctions imposed on Mali after its military rulers proposed a 24-month transition to democracy and published a new electoral law.
Mali was put under stiff ECOWAS sanctions in January after the military government failed to organise democratic elections in February according to the initial proposal. Sanctions cut off the country from the regional financial market and the regional central bank leading to a severe economic crisis, defaulting on more than $300m of its debt.
ECOWAS Commission President Jean Claude Kassi Brou announced at a press conference on July 3rd that the sanctions will be lifted with immediate effect. Accordingly, borders with Mali will be reopened and regional diplomats will return to Bamako.
ECOWAS Commission President added that however the leaders have agreed to maintain individual sanctions, and the suspension of Mali from ECOWAS, until the return to constitutional rule. The individual sanctions targeted members of the ruling military government and the transitional council.
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