West African Leaders Seek to Restore Democracy in Mali

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — West African leaders met in Nigeria’s capital on Saturday to discuss ways to restore democracy in Mali after a second coup in nine months.
The 15-nation regional bloc known as ECOWAS has already suspended Mali’s membership and threatened to impose further sanctions if the junta does not hand over power to a civilian-led transitional government by the end of February.
The meeting In Abuja was attended by presidents from Ghana, Ivory Coast, Niger, Senegal and Guinea, as well as representatives from other ECOWAS countries and the African Union.
The leaders expressed their “deep concern” over the political situation in Mali and urged the military to respect the commitments made in the aftermath of the first coup in August 2020, which toppled former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.
They also called for the release of all civilian and military officials detained by the junta, including interim President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane, who were arrested on May 24 and forced to resign.
The coup leader, Col. Assimi Goita, who was vice president of the transitional government, declared himself the new president and promised to hold elections in February 2023.
However, many regional and international actors have expressed doubts about his intentions and his ability to ensure a peaceful and credible transition.
ECOWAS has been mediating the crisis in Mali since the first coup and has deployed a military force to help stabilize the country, which is also facing a violent insurgency by Islamist militants and ethnic militias.
The bloc has Insisted that the transition period should not exceed 18 months and that the interim authorities should not participate in the next elections.
The leaders In Abuja reaffirmed their support for the Malian people and their aspiration for a democratic and prosperous nation.
They also appealed to the international community to continue to assist Mali in addressing its security and humanitarian challenges.
The meeting ended with a declaration that outlined the steps to be taken by the junta and the ECOWAS to resolve the impasse and restore constitutional order in Mali.
The declaration also expressed the hope that the Malian people will overcome this difficult phase and achieve their desired goals of peace and development.
Source: Ap News