Africa Mali West Africa World 

Mali’s coup leaders and Ecowas fail to reach a deal on poll date

– – Mali’s political crisis remains unresolved after the country’s coup leaders and those from the regional bloc, ECOWAS failed to agree on a new poll date. The West African nation has been under harsher sanctions from ECOWAS and the European Union after interim President Assimi Goïta and his team prolonged the transitional period. There were plans for elections this… Read More
Africa Mali West Africa World 

ECOWAS leaders meet over resurgence of coups in the region

– – Ecowas leaders meeting in Ghana’s capital Accra for an extra-ordinary summit have expressed concerned about the resurgence of coups in the region. They fear the worrying trend could devastate the entire region if not tackled quickly as they discuss a way out in Thursday’s meeting. Last week soldiers seized power in Burkina Faso, ousting president Roch Marc Kabore.… Read More
Africa Mali West Africa World 

Why Mali’s ruling junta and France are engaged in a row

– – French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian last week said Mali’s junta was “illegitimate” and “out of control”. That follows recent sanctions imposed on Mali by West African regional bloc, ECOWAS to force the soldiers to return the country to constitutional rule. But Mali believes there are external forces manipulating the actions of ECOWAS and distaste France’s posturing. A… Read More
Africa Ghana Mali West Africa World 

ECOWAS leaders impose harsher sanctions on Mali

– – ECOWAS leaders have imposed harsher sanctions on Mali after their meeting in Ghana’s capital, Accra. The new sanctions include the withdrawal of all ECOWAS ambassadors in Mali and closure of land and air borders between Ecowas countries and Mali. Other sanctions include the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Mali, with exception… Read More
Africa Ghana Mali West Africa World 

ECOWAS leaders meet in Accra over political situation in Mali

– – ECOWAS leaders are meeting in Ghana’s capital, Accra to discuss the political situation in Mali, after the ruling military junta there said it cannot hold elections next month. Mali’s military leaders carried out a coup in August 2020, deposing then president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. A transition team led by the military has been ruling the country since then… Read More
Africa Featured Mali West Africa World 

Mali’s military leaders now want a four-year transition period

– – Mali’s military rulers have revised their earlier request for a five year transition period to four years. In a letter to the chair of ECOWAS, Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo, the coup leaders have said they can work towards elections within four years. Mali’s military leaders carried out a coup in August 2020, deposing then president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.… Read More
Africa Mali West Africa World 

Covid: French President cancels trip to Mali over new wave

– – President of France, Emmanuel Macron has cancelled his trip to Mali from December 20 to 21. He was expected in the West African nation to visit French troops who are withdrawing from the country. But Macron’s office said the trip has been canceled due to France’s deteriorating health situation over the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant. “This… Read More
Africa Mali West Africa World 

ECOWAS sanctions Mali coup leaders and their families

– – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Sunday announced new sanctions on Mali’s coup leaders. At the end of their extra ordinary meeting in Ghana’s capital, Accra, the ECOWAS leaders resolved to impose travel ban and financial asset freeze against the entire members of the Transition Authorities and the other transition institutions. These sanctions will also… Read More
Africa Mali West Africa World 

How Mali’s military leader escaped unharmed in knife attack

– – Helped by his military instinct, the interim Mali President Assimi Goita escaped an attempt on his life this week in the capital Bamako. On Tuesday during Muslim prayers at a mosque, the special forces colonel who was sworn in as interim president was approached by some assailants trying to stab him in the neck. Security agents however overpowered… Read More
Africa Mali West Africa World 

France to close all military bases in Mali by 2022

– – The French government has announced that by 2022 it will close all of its military bases in Mali. On Friday French President Emmanuel Macron made the announcement, indicating that the process to close its bases in northern Mali will start by the end of this year. This is part of a bigger plan by France to finally withdraw… Read More