Mali: Jonathan Reveals ECOWAS May Lift Sanctions |The Source

By Akinwale Kasali

The Crisis in Mali that saw the West African country sanctioned and suspended by the Economic Community Of West African Countries, ECOWAS, could be reversed.

Former Nigeria President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who is a mediator in the Crisis in Mali for the West African Bloc  has revealed that the Economy of West African State, ECOWAS, would probably decide soon whether it would lift economic sanctions against the country.

Speaking in Mali’s capital Bamako on Wednesday, Jonathan called the measures imposed on the country by the 15-nation bloc “unfortunate”.

West African leaders heaped pressure on Mali’s ruling junta to return power to civilians after the August 18 coup that toppled president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

A junta-appointed committee this week named retired colonel Bah Ndaw as Interim President. He is set to govern for at most 18 months before arranging elections.

The 70-year-old former Defence Minister was sworn in on Friday, alongside junta leader Colonel Assimi Goita, who will serve as interim vice president.

Jonathan said that ECOWAS was “eager” to make a decision on the sanctions, which threaten to cripple the poor Sahel state’s economy.

“ECOWAS doesn’t want any sanctions in any part of the community,” he told reporters.

Jonathan added that it was up to Ghanaian President and current ECOWAS leader Nana Akufo-Addo to announce any decision.