Situation In Mali - Statement by Jean-Yves Le Drian (31 May 2021)

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France reiterates its strong condemnation of the coup in Mali, leading to the forced resignation of President Bah Ndaw and his Prime Minister on 26 May.

It takes note of Mali’s suspension from ECOWAS institutions, which was decided at the Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government on 30 May.

Like ECOWAS, France believes that organizing presidential elections in Mali on 27 February 2022 is an absolute priority, under the strict conditions set out by the Heads of State and Government in the communiqué of 30 May.

It supports the implementation by ECOWAS of a monitoring mechanism for the transition period.

Compliance with these conditions, to be verified by ECOWAS, is the precondition for maintaining the commitment of Mali’s partners and supporting the transition.

Q : ECOWAS leaders have suspended Mali’s membership in their organization but have not announced any targeted sanctions following the latest coup by Colonel Goïta. Is France still upholding its threat of sanctions? Could the appointment of a new prime minister from civil society be the answer to the crisis?

A : Please refer to the statement issued by the minister for Europe and foreign affairs today.