West Africa's main political and economic bloc imposed sanctions on Sunday against Mali's transitional leaders after they informed the organisation they would not be able to hold presidential and legislative elections in February.
Mali's interim government, which took power following the military's overthrow of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August 2020, had promised the Economic Community of West African States to oversee an 18-month transition back to democracy culminating in elections on Feb. 27, 2022.
But it has made only fitful progress towards organising the vote and repeatedly suggested it might be delayed, in part because of an ongoing insurgency by Islamist militants. ECOWAS said in a statement following a summit in Ghana that the interim authorities had informed it “of their inability to meet the transition deadline of February 2022".
The sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes on all members of the transitional authority and their family members, the statement said, adding ECOWAS would consider additional sanctions in December if no progress is made.ECOWAS first imposed sanctions, including border closures, immediately after last year's coup but lifted them less than two months later after the coup leaders agreed to the 18-month transition.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
West African bloc imposes sanctions on Mali leaders over stalled voteWest Africa's main political and economic bloc imposed sanctions on Sunday against Mali's transitional leaders after they informed the organisation they would not be able to hold presidential and legislative elections in February.
Read more »
LGBT migrants in South Africa: religion can be a blessing, and a curseThe politicisation of religion in Africa is now well documented. It is a strategy used to maintain the idea that heterosexuality is the only natural and normal expression of human desire.
Read more »
WATCH | Princess Charlene says goodbye to South Africa, returns to Monaco | Channel'It's been, obviously, a very challenging time to be here, but at the same time it has been wonderful being back in South Africa,' says Princess Charlene as she returns to Monaco.
Read more »
Eight Days in July: Inside the unrest and looting that shook South Africa | News24Books editor Shaun de Waal will be in discussion with authors QaanitahHunter, kaveels and wicks_jeff on Monday, 8 November, at 18:00. Join us for the virtual launch!
Read more »
Petrol, power price hikes hit South Africa hard - The Mail & GuardianPetrol, power price hikes hit South Africa hard - Households are reeling after the fuel price hike, as electricity is set to go up by 15.06% in 2022
Read more »
South Africa gears up for 16 Days of ActivismSA will participate in the 16 Days of Activism of No Violence against Women and Children campaign from 25 November to 10 December 2021.
Read more »