By Bright Ntramah.
The Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS has imposed sanctions on Mali following delays in returning the country to constitutional rule.
The ECOWAS leaders have also slapped a travel ban and frozen the financial assets of the coup leaders and their families.
The Authority has also appointed Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas as a Special Envoy to Guinea to lead the country to Constitutional rule. The Authority has also reaffirmed its earlier decision to suspend the two countries following the Military take over. In a communique issued after its Extraordinary Summit in Accra, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Jean Claude Kassi Brou warned of more sanctions if Mali and Guinea does not return to Constitutional rule at the earliest possible time.
”Ahead of September 2021, the Authority decided to uphold the suspension of the Republic of Guinea from all ECOWAS governing bodies as well as the traveling ban and fees of financial assets to impose on the members of the CNLD (Military group) and their family members until Constitutional order is restored.
The Authority decided to appoint his Excellency Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambers as a Special Envoy to Guinea with a view to strengthen dialogue in the transition authority towards the successful and short transition process”, he noted.
Jean Claude Kassi Brou expressed concern about the deteriorating security in Mali.
”On the political transition in the Republic of Mali the Authority remain concerned about the deterioration of the security situation in Mali as the results of the high term political uncertainties in the country it called on the Transition Authority to intensify effort to improve the security situation especially by ensuring effective State presence in the affected area in this context”.
”The Authority calls on the neighbouring countries to step up security presence along the border with Mali and….. extract the ECOWAS Commission to deepen the ongoing discussion with the African Union Commission with a view to enhancing the security situation in the subregion.”
”Furthermore, the Authority calls for a more robust ……mandate and enhanced operational capacity.”
