Withdrawal from ECOWAS: in Mali, the opposition denounces an “illegitimate” and “without consultation” decision
ECOWAS is currently carrying out consultations, internally and with Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, after their announcement on Sunday January 28 to leave the organization. While this decision raises many questions about the consequences for States and populations, it also raises a wave of indignation, much less audible, among opponents of putschist regimes, in particular among the coordination of the February 20 Appeal, in Mali.
Numerous demonstrations took to the streets of the three countries concerned, in particular against the sanctions, ahead of their announcement of withdrawal, here in Bamako, on January 14, 2024. © Florent Vergens / AFP
By: David Baché
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In Mali, the coordination of the February 20 Appeal, which brings together political parties and civil society movements opposed to the transitional authorities, denounces an
“
illegitimate
” and “
without consultation ”
decision
.
In their eyes, Colonel Assimi Goïta, transitional president, does not have the “
mandate to lead the country into such a perilous adventure
”.
In its press release, the coordination of the organizations of the February 20 Appeal thus expresses its “
dismay
” at the announcement of the withdrawal of Mali, jointly with Niger and Burkina, from ECOWAS.
Opposition organizations note “
the absence of any prior consultation
” and therefore describe this decision as “
blackmail
”. Taken without any form of democratic debate, it would reflect the “
lack of consideration of the putschists in power
” towards the Malian “
people
”.
The numerous political parties and civil society organizations members of this platform also believe that the withdrawal of ECOWAS goes, contrary to official discourse, "
against the interests of Mali
", and that it in no way corresponds to the “
missions assigned to the transitional authorities
”.
Read alsoAES: the withdrawal of Mali, Niger and Burkina from ECOWAS should benefit the Alliance of Sahel States
“
Staying in power
”
Once again, opponents remind the Malian transitional authorities of their own commitments, in particular that of organizing elections and returning to constitutional order. The presidential election, initially scheduled for this month of February, was postponed four months ago, without any new date having been announced since. The electoral calendar had been negotiated with ECOWAS, precisely.
“
The leaders of the military junta
in power in Mali have betrayed the trust of the people and the international community
,” say the leaders of the Malian opposition (...) with the sole intention “
of remaining in power
.”
The press release deplores and finally explains “
the silence
” which generally followed this major announcement by “
fear, the threat of arbitrary arrests or kidnappings of people organized at the top of the transition services
”.
Since the announcement from the three capitals, ECOWAS has indicated that it is considering a “
negotiated
” solution for this withdrawal, which should take a year according to the texts, but which the three Sahelian countries want to carry out “
without delay
”.
Read also ECOWAS crisis: for Lionel Zinsou, “the countries of the Sahel are trying to escape sanctions which have significant consequences”
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