The Malian transitional authorities reacted to the “illegal and illegitimate” sanctions taken by the heads of state of ECOWAS and UEMOA on January 9, 2022 in Accra. And reserve the right to review their country’s participation in these entities.
Bamako’s response to the hailstorm of sanctions was swift. In a press release dated January 9 and read by Colonel Abdoulaye Maïga, Minister of Territorial Administration and government spokesperson on the night from Sunday to Monday on national television, the soldiers in power in Mali express their amazement at the sanctions which they consider “illegal and illegitimate” and which, according to them, contrast with the efforts made so far in order to find a compromise on the timetable.
Regarding the suspension of commercial transactions with Mali by Assimi Goïta (photo), the transitional government indicates that this embargo decided by the heads of state constitutes a violation of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (Uemoa) treaties and the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), the common central bank of the eight countries in the region. In addition, he adds, the freezing of state assets, public and parastatal enterprises cannot be applied by the central bank “which remains an independent body to which each state has conceded its sovereign right”.
“The government of Mali regrets that sub-regional organizations are being exploited by extra-regional powers with ulterior motives,” the statement continued, “which” deplores the inhuman nature “of the Accra verdict. Moreover, the document notes, these measures come “curiously at a time when the Malian Armed Forces are achieving spectacular results in the fight against terrorism, which has not happened for more than a decade”.
In addition, the Malian authorities indicate, in reaction and by way of reciprocity, that they are also closing their country’s borders with ECOWAS member states and recalling their ambassadors in these countries, even if it means further isolating Mali. While calling on the army to remain mobilized in the face of any possible deployment of foreign forces against “our country”.
