Mali Junta Defies ECOWAS, Approves 5-year Rule

Mali’s rubber stamp lawmakers on Monday approved a plan allowing the military junta to rule for up to five years, despite ECOWAS sanctions imposed on the country over delayed elections.

After staging a coup in the impoverished Sahel state in August 2020, the country’s military rulers initially promised to stage a vote in February 2022.

But in December last year, the junta proposed staying in power for between six months and five years, citing security concerns.

In response, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) last month imposed a trade embargo and closed its borders with Mali. The bloc has called the potential length of the transition unacceptable.

On Monday, 120 members of Mali’s 121-seat interim parliament voted to allow the junta to govern for up to five years, in line with the earlier junta proposal.

According to AFP, no lawmakers in the army-dominated legislature voted against the bill or abstained.

The bill does not mention on what date a future election might be held.

Mali’s Junta Leader, Colonel Assimi Goita has pledged to restore civilian rule, but he has refused to commit to a date.

Tensions with the junta contributed to France’s announcement last week that it was withdrawing its troops from Mali which are deployed under the anti-jihadist Barkhane force in the Sahel.