Mali turns down participation in ECOWAS summit

Bamako, Mali (PANA) - Mali has turned down participation in the emergency summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the country's political situation in Accra on Friday because it is for heads of state and junta leader, Colonel Assimi Goita, had asked to be represented by a delegation led by Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop.

A tweet by Mr. Diop read: "Following consultations with ECOWAS, it was decided that the format of the summit is a closed meeting between heads of state. Therefore, the participation of the Malian ministerial delegation is no longer necessary." 

The ECOWAS Commission, in a letter sent this week to the Malian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, invited the President of the Malian Transition, Colonel Goita, to participate in the meeting on Mali.

The Transition authorities had decided to send a delegation of four ministers led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and had asked that Colonel Goita be able to speak by video link.

Mali has been suspended by ECOWAS for a coup and refusal to hold elections by the end of last month.

ECOWAS has also imposed stiff sanctions, including closure of borders on Mali.

-0- PANA GT/JSG/SOC/BBA/MA 25March2022