Showdown between the junta and ECOWAS: the impossible transition in Mali?

Published on : 10/01/2022 – 20:02

Mali is facing very heavy sanctions. The ECOWAS struck hard: freezing of assets within the central bank of West African states, closing of borders with member states, suspension of transactions, and withdrawal of ambassadors. Objective: to put pressure on the junta which had just proposed an extension of the military transition by 4 years instead of 5, a period deemed “unacceptable” by the West African organization.

The junta “strongly” condemned the “illegal” sanctions, recalled its ambassadors in West Africa and closed its land and air borders with the ECOWAS countries.

This region of Africa believed itself to be free of the putsch. In less than 18 months, she saw 2 young officers overthrow old “elected” presidents in Mali and then in Guinea.

What will be the impact of these sanctions in Mali? Will the junta give in to the pressure? What regarding Guinea and Chad? Will the transitions in this region turn into dictatorships?

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