ECOWAS Not “Ready To Lift The Sanctions Against Mali” – Buhari

The Emissary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, met with the current President of the country, Muhammadu Buhari, to provide him with an update of the situation in Mali.

While ECOWAS had indicated it would lift sanctions, which resulted in a 30% drop in imports into the landlocked country, once a civilian prime minister was appointed, as was the case on Sunday, among other demands, President Buhari said Monday that leaders of the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP) have yet to meet all demands for a transfer of power to a fully civilian government.

He, therefore, said that West African states are not ready to lift sanctions against Mali, Reuters reports.

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During his meeting with Goodluck, Buhari said there were still “grey areas” to discuss.” According to the Special Envoy, military leaders have yet to meet ECOWAS’s demand for a full civilian as vice president, and what his roles would be in government,” a statement said after the meeting.

This Buhari declaration on sanctions could be the same position of ECOWAS. The new prime minister is expected to form his government within 48 hours, and that could change the mind of ECOWAS, which could meet on Tuesday.