[ad_1]
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has hinted at a possible return of the Malian government to civilian rule in a matter of days amid threats to impose restrictions should it be pushed.
President Akufo-Addo, who is also the president of the bloc, after Tuesday’s meeting explained that the talks with the head of Mali’s new military junta, Colonel Assimi Goita, were progressive.
A previous ultimatum set by leaders for a handover at the close of September 15 was not fulfilled when Colonel Assimi Goita left the Ghanaian coast for Bamako.
But President Akufo-Addo told reporters after the meeting that the military leader agreed, upon his arrival in Mali, to further involve the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP) as part of the measures to implement his commitments agreed in the ECOWAS Meeting.
“I hope by when [Col. Goita] gets there, these things would have been completed for the sanctions to be lifted. We’re talking, hopefully in days, not weeks, ”he said.
The ECOWAS president further revealed that Colonel Assimi Goita “participated in the discussion, but we insist that he go back and consult with decision makers and obtain their acceptance.”
The president made the remarks at the meeting of West African heads of state in Ghana to deliberate on possible solutions to the political crisis in Mali following a coup to oust President Bubakar Keïta in August.
ECOWAS also warned of new sanctions if military leaders do not adhere to the conclusions reached at Tuesday’s meeting.
These sanctions could range from closing the borders of member states to Mali, restricting financial inputs, and excluding decisions regarding member states, among others.
This development comes amid ECOWAS calls for Mr Keïta to be president again.
