AU Suspends Mali, Supports Jonathan’s Mediation Efforts

The African Union Peace and Security Council(PSC) has approved the suspension of Mali pending when the country returns to democratic rule.

The council disclosed this in a communique (dated June 1).

It urged AU to work with former Nigeria president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, as his team continues mediation efforts in Mali.

THE WHISTLER reported that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had on July 14 appointed Jonathan as Special Envoy to Mali in a bid to mediate in the crisis bedvelling the nation which escalated after a military coup led by Colonel Assimi Goita.

The PSC warned Malian soldiers to stop jeopardizing the country’s democracy and lives of its citizens.

According to the communique, the AU “Decides, accordingly, in line with the relevant AU normative instruments, to immediately suspend the Republic of Mali from participation in all activities of the African Union, its Organs and institutions, until normal constitutional order has been restored in the country.

“Requests the Chairperson of the Commission through his Special Representative and Head of AU Mission in Mali and the Sahel (MISAHEL) to continue to closely coordinate with the ECOWAS Special Envoy and Mediator to Mali, H.E. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

It also backed all decisions earlier reached by ECOWAS.

Among other things, the West African body had suspended Mali from benefiting from the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) while mandating the interim government to hold elections by 27th February 2022.