Mali: civil society denounces ECOWAS sanctions
People in Bamako demonstrate against the new sanctions imposed on Mali on January 10, 2022. FLORENT VERGNES AFP / File
Text by: David Baché
2 min
The economic sanctions imposed since Sunday January 9 by the ECOWAS to force the junta in power to organize elections as soon as possible raise significant fears among the population, which is preparing for serious difficulties related to the freezing of state assets or to the suspension of trade with neighboring countries.
Fears that are coupled with anger, with the feeling that Malians are misunderstood and directly targeted by these sanctions.
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Religious associations, organizations of journalists, magistrates or teachers, unions… many civil society movements are showing their anger against ECOWAS.
The economic sanctions that it has decided do not concern basic necessities, nor medicines, oil or electricity, so as not to penalize Malians.
Not enough to convince Ibrahima Coulibaly, president of the National Coordination of Farmers' Organizations of Mali (CNOP).
“
These sanctions are not directed against the junta, but against the population and its support for this transitional regime.
Everyone knows that a 5-year transition is not sustainable, but what is certain is that real reforms are needed.
Sanctioning Mali for a matter of delay is totally unfair and inhuman.
"
Another five or four years, ECOWAS considers that the deadline proposed by unelected transitional authorities before organizing the return to constitutional order is not "
acceptable. "
"
In Timbuktu, the president of the Regional Civil Society Forum is also protesting against the ECOWAS sanctions.
"
These sanctions for us, especially in the North, it is inhuman, unthinkable on the part of the ECOWAS,
ahead Baba Moulaye
.
Because we live in brother land.
We are brothers.
We must not be adversaries as ECOWAS is practicing.
"
Concerning the lengthening of the transition, Baba Moulaye estimates: “
We did not say less than two years in the region of Timbuktu.
Everywhere it's two years, three years, five years…
”
On Friday, Baba Moulaye assures him, civil society in Timbuktu will respond to the call for mobilization launched by the transitional authorities.
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