Mali: ECOWAS insists on the return of civilians to power for the transition

Text by: RFI Follow

4 min

The heads of state of the economic community of West African States (ECOWAS) met this Friday, August 28 by videoconference to discuss the situation in Mali. They do not validate the roadmap of the junta which envisages a three-year transition, and a soldier to lead it. Sanctions are therefore not lifted for the moment.

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With our correspondent in Bamako, Serge Daniel

The question of the transition was at the center of the discussions of the videoconference of the heads of state of the ECOWAS (Community of West African States) on August 28. Good point for the junta after the release of the overthrown president: ECOWAS takes note of the resignation of Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta (IBK). But on the transition, the heads of state of ECOWAS ask the military to review their copy.

The soldiers, who took power in Bamako, are indeed asking for two to three years for the transition to complete the five-year term of the ousted president. The Malian junta wants to lead this transition with a government made up of civilians and soldiers.

► To read also: Mali: how France turned the IBK page

However, Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, President of the ECOWAS Commission , explains to RFI : "  There is a rule within the institution which insists: the transition in the event of a coup must not exceed twelve months  " . He continues: "  Another rule requires that the president of the transition be a civilian, just like the prime minister, but not be a presidential candidate  ."

The tone is firm. In the meantime, the sanctions are maintained. But applying the texts, insists the sub-regional institution, does not mean suffocating Mali. The junta will be judged on its actions and there will be an assessment of the situation by September 7, the date of the next summit of ECOWAS heads of state in Niamey, Niger.

Imam Mahmoud Dicko, central figure in the crisis, bluntly warned the military the same day, urging them to keep the promise of change. “  I asked everyone to come together around Mali. I always ask, but that does not mean that the military received a blank check,  ”he told hundreds of people.

The return to constitutional order supposes the return of the soldiers to their barracks

Mahamadou Issoufou, President of Niger, President in office of ECOWAS

Moussa Kaka

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• Mali
• Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta
• ECOWAS

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