LBCI

West African nations sever links with Mali over election delay

Middle East

10-01-2022 | 02:37

Share

Share

West African nations sever links with Mali over election delay

3^min

West African nations will close their borders with Mali, sever diplomatic ties and impose tough economic sanctions in response to its "unacceptable" delay in holding elections following a 2020 military coup, the 15-state regional bloc said on Sunday.

The fresh measures from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) represent a significant hardening of its stance towards Mali, whose interim authorities have proposed holding elections in December 2025 instead of this February as originally agreed with the bloc.

In a communique issued after an emergency summit in the Ghanaian capital Accra, ECOWAS said it found the proposed timetable for a transition back to constitutional rule totally unacceptable.

This schedule "simply means that an illegitimate military transition government will take the Malian people hostage", ECOWAS added.

The organization said it had agreed to impose additional sanctions with immediate effect. These included the closure of members' land and air borders with Mali, the suspension of non-essential financial transactions, the freezing of Malian state assets in ECOWAS commercial banks and recalling their ambassadors from Bamako.

Meanwhile, regional monetary union UEMOA instructed all financial institutions under its umbrella to suspend Mali with immediate effect, severing the country's access to regional financial markets.

The Malian interim government said it was astonished by the decisions. In response, it vowed to close its side of the border with ECOWAS member states, recall its ambassadors, and reserve the right to reconsider its membership in ECOWAS and UEMOA.

"The government strongly condemns these illegal and illegitimate sanctions," it said in a statement read on state television by spokesperson Abdoulaye Maiga in the early hours of Monday, calling on Malians to remain calm.

They have previously blamed the election delay partly on the challenge of organizing a democratically robust vote amid a violent Islamist insurgency.

REUTERS

Breaking Headlines

West African

Nations

Mali

Election

Delay

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Israel's army claims it killed Radwan Force commander, Hezbollah member in south Lebanon strikes

05:26

Israel's army claims it killed Radwan Force commander, Hezbollah member in south Lebanon strikes

Lebanon’s response shows openness to tackle Hezbollah weapons issue, sources tell LBCI

06:05

Lebanon’s response shows openness to tackle Hezbollah weapons issue, sources tell LBCI

US Envoy Tom Barrack: Disarming Hezbollah requires a 'carrots and sticks' strategy

2025-07-03

US Envoy Tom Barrack: Disarming Hezbollah requires a 'carrots and sticks' strategy

Tom Barrack in Beirut: Lebanon submits seven pages roadmap to US envoy

News Bulletin Reports

12:48

Tom Barrack in Beirut: Lebanon submits seven pages roadmap to US envoy

Videos

Massive fire erupts at unregulated dumpsite in Bchannine, Zgharta district

2025-07-01

Massive fire erupts at unregulated dumpsite in Bchannine, Zgharta district

Clash between Lebanese Army and residents of Deir Qanoun Al Nahr results in injuries (Video)

2025-06-10

Clash between Lebanese Army and residents of Deir Qanoun Al Nahr results in injuries (Video)

Mexico dedicates garden around Lebanese Emigrant Statue in Beirut to mark 80 years of diplomatic ties

2025-06-04

Mexico dedicates garden around Lebanese Emigrant Statue in Beirut to mark 80 years of diplomatic ties

President Aoun to seek Egyptian support for Lebanese Army in detecting explosives and tunnels

2025-05-19

President Aoun to seek Egyptian support for Lebanese Army in detecting explosives and tunnels

LBCI Exclusive: US steps up pressure on Hezbollah, Morgan Ortagus details sanctions and vision for Lebanon's future

2025-05-15

LBCI Exclusive: US steps up pressure on Hezbollah, Morgan Ortagus details sanctions and vision for Lebanon's future

Kuwait rolls out official welcome for Lebanon's President Aoun – video

2025-05-11

Kuwait rolls out official welcome for Lebanon's President Aoun – video

Security incidents temporarily disrupt voting in several Akkar and Minieh-Danniyeh centers

2025-05-11

Security incidents temporarily disrupt voting in several Akkar and Minieh-Danniyeh centers

EU ambassador says 'we are not just donors, but genuine partners to Lebanon': Insights from exclusive LBCI interview

News Bulletin Reports

2025-05-09

EU ambassador says 'we are not just donors, but genuine partners to Lebanon': Insights from exclusive LBCI interview

US envoy Morgan Ortagus hails Lebanese diaspora, says country stands at a crossroads

2025-04-23

US envoy Morgan Ortagus hails Lebanese diaspora, says country stands at a crossroads

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Samir Geagea rejects Lebanese leadership's response to US envoy, calls it 'unconstitutional'

1

Samir Geagea rejects Lebanese leadership's response to US envoy, calls it 'unconstitutional'

PM Salam after meeting Tom Barrack: Hezbollah committed to Taif, Israeli withdrawal a priority

2

PM Salam after meeting Tom Barrack: Hezbollah committed to Taif, Israeli withdrawal a priority

Lebanon’s response shows openness to tackle Hezbollah weapons issue, sources tell LBCI

3

Lebanon’s response shows openness to tackle Hezbollah weapons issue, sources tell LBCI

Tom Barrack in Beirut: Lebanon submits seven pages roadmap to US envoy

4

Tom Barrack in Beirut: Lebanon submits seven pages roadmap to US envoy

Seven months of ceasefire violations: New Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon as US mediation advances

5

Seven months of ceasefire violations: New Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon as US mediation advances

Speaker Berri describes meeting with Tom Barrack as 'constructive,' emphasizes Lebanon’s sovereignty and Hezbollah’s demands

6

Speaker Berri describes meeting with Tom Barrack as 'constructive,' emphasizes Lebanon’s sovereignty and Hezbollah’s demands

Sources: US guarantees pending, Hezbollah's position reiterated in Barrack-Berri meeting

7

Sources: US guarantees pending, Hezbollah's position reiterated in Barrack-Berri meeting

Lebanon’s Education Ministry denies exam rumors, urges students to rely on official sources

8

Lebanon’s Education Ministry denies exam rumors, urges students to rely on official sources

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More