Analysis
Mali: the withdrawal of ECOWAS decided without preparation?
Sunday January 28, Mali announced its withdrawal from ECOWAS, jointly with Niger and Burkina. A decision which took everyone by surprise and which has since raised many concerns, among Malian citizens and among business leaders. In the ranks of the Malian opposition in Bamako, many claim that this highly strategic decision was taken brutally and without preparation.
Choguel Maïga, Malian Prime Minister, during a press conference on May 28, 2021. AFP - MICHELE CATTANI
By: David Baché
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First element:
the total absence of any public debate
, including within the National Transitional Council, which nevertheless serves as a legislative body and popular representation replacing the National Assembly. Several political leaders have already denounced this fact. Some personalities, speaking anonymously, see this as proof that the decision to leave ECOWAS was taken in small groups, at the highest level of the State, and without the necessary preparation.
Last Wednesday, economic operators were received by Prime Minister Choguel Maïga. Which did not present them with any support system, limiting itself to reminding, according to the official press release from the Prime Minister's Office, that a steering committee would be set up to define the "
opportunities
" for this departure. Faced with this lack of concrete measure, the employers could only “
presume
” – this is the term used – that the issues of this “
political decision
” had been “
well analyzed
”. A formulation that exudes more spite than confidence. Malian employers have promised to raise their own concerns as quickly as possible. “
This is a sign that the economic consequences of this departure are not yet known
,” said a former minister, who is sad to see that members of the Malian government are promoting decisions for which they did not have their approval. word to say.
“
They don’t know where they are going
”
The same evening, three days after the official announcement, Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop explained on national television ORTM that even after the creation of the Alliance of Sahel States, Mali remained a member of ECOWAS. The show was actually recorded on January 11, and broadcast without editing. Which still indicates that, two and a half weeks before the announcement, the decision to leave ECOWAS had not yet been taken. Or that the head of Malian diplomacy was not informed of it. Asked by RFI, the ministry confirmed the recording date, without providing further explanation.
Several opponents finally point out certain approximations and inconsistencies which also denote, in their eyes, a decision taken “
in haste
”. Like the announcement of a departure with “
immediate effect
”, while the community regulation provides for one year’s notice, or the arguments used to justify this decision. “
They talk about ECOWAS sanctions or its manipulation by France,”
chokes up another former minister, “
but they remain in UEMOA which implemented these sanctions and which is directly linked to France with the CFA! Which is not the case for ECOWAS!
» And to conclude, speaking of the leaders of the Transition: “
they do not know where they are going, and they are making decisions of which the Malians will suffer the consequences.
»
Read also Mali’s exit from ECOWAS: update on the economic and human consequences
For the various opposition figures contacted by RFI, the real objective of this departure from ECOWAS would be, for “
the military who run the country
”, to get rid of any constraints on an electoral calendar and to remain in power.
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