Mali's junta leader 'open to dialogue' with ECOWAS after sanctions

Bamako, Mali (PANA) - Mali's junta leader, Colonel Assimi Goita, said on Monday that his country remains open to dialogue with the leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to "find a consensus between the higher interests of the Malian people and respect for the fundamental principles of the sub-regional organisation".

In a broadcast on television, he said: "Our commitment to a return to normal, peaceful and secure constitutional order has never wavered."

Col. Goita expressed regret that "the complexity of Mali's situation" had unfortunately not been taken into account and that the efforts of the transition authorities had been ignored.

ECOWAS leaders meeting in Accra last Sunday imposed stiff sanctions against Mali, including closure of borders and recall of ambassadors, saying the junta's four-year transition tumetable was in variance with the 27 February deadline to hold elections.

Col. Goita called on his compatriots "to come together to reaffirm our principled positions and defend our homeland".

"It is up to each and every one of us to put aside divisions of any kind and to come together around the essential thing, which is Mali, our homeland. Also, I call for constant mobilisation and resilience in the face of the situation."

Col. Goita asked Malians to remain calm, "because we have made the choice to be sincere in order to take our destiny in  our hands by forging our own path. Let us keep in mind that the road to happiness is a hard and very hard road".

He called on ECOWAS to "carry out an in-depth analysis of the situation in Mali, placing the best interests of the people above all other considerations".

While aware of the concerns about the consequences of the sanctions, Col. Goita gave the assurance that arrangements were being made to meet this challenge and that supplies will continue to flow.

-0- PANA GT/JSG/BBA/MA 11Jan2022