Mali seeks assistance from lithoral nations to circumvent ECOWAS sanctions

Mali has disclosed that it has obtained the support of neighbouring Guinea and Mauritania as leeway to bypassing sanctions imposed by the regional bloc ECOWAS which has threatened its ability to import goods.

According to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a delegation of government officials visited the nations’ respective ports this week.

“Guinea and Mauritania reaffirmed their active solidarity and complete readiness to support Mali in these times of difficulty,” the statement said.

Mauritania is not a member of ECOWAS while Guinea was suspended in September 2020 following a coup that overthrew President Alpha Condé.

The third visit to Algeria had been scheduled but was subsequently canceled with the government not giving any further details.

ECOWAS imposed sanctions on the Sahel nation after it rejected a proposed five-and-a-half-year transition period by Malian authorities instead of fulfilling a promise to hold elections in February.

ECOWAS said the sanctions would be gradually lifted only after an “acceptable and agreed” transitional timeline is finalized and satisfactory progress is recorded.

According to sources, the government, led by Colonel Assimi Goita, plans to 80 billion CFA francs (139 million U.S. dollars) from local banks to pay the salaries of state workers and other recurring costs.