Mali launches consultation mechanism with African, international communities under embargo

By Aurore Bonny

DOUALA, Cameroon (AA) - Malian authorities announced Wednesday the establishment of a consultation mechanism on the transition involving the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bloc, the African Union (AU) and the international community.

"As part of the continuing dialogue with those communities concerning the transition's conduct, the Malian government has set up a consultation mechanism to support this dynamic," according to a statement by government spokesman Col. Abdoulaye Maiga.

The mechanism is made up of two groups. The first is the ministerial level and its mission is to facilitate dialogue between stakeholders, to work toward a rapprochement of positions and to seek compromise on the suspended issues.

The second is a broader working group.

Both entities are composed of Malian authorities, AU and UN members as well as ECOWAS member countries.

The groups previously held two inaugural meetings on Jan. 31 and Feb. 8.

Adoption of a consensual timetable for the return to a "normal constitutional order" by seeking "a solution that reconciles the aspirations of the Malian people and the demands of the international community," is the goal, said Maiga.

This move comes in a context of embargo where Mali is undergoing sanctions from ECOWAS, the AU and the international community after the junta prolonged the transition period to get the nation back to democratic rule.

The initial agreements between Mali and its partners provide for elections in February to end the state of transition in which the country has been in since the Aug. 18, 2020, coup led by current President Asimi Goita.