The government of the United States (U.S.) has called on the Malian transition government to honour its commitments to its citizens by conducting a free and fair election that will restore democracy in the West African country.
Matthew Miller who is a Spokesperson of the U.S. Department of State, in a statement which was obtained by Africa Today News, New York on Friday said the United States is deeply concerned that the Malian transition government chose not to hold an election to restore democracy in February 2024, despite its stated commitment in 2022 to do so.
Miller said the transition government announced a delay to elections in September 2023 but had since failed to provide an updated electoral calendar, an essential step to reach a new era of civilian-led democratic governance.
“The United States calls on Mali’s transition government to honor its commitments to its citizens and hold free and fair elections.
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“In Mali and elsewhere, democracy remains the best foundation for stability and prosperity,” Miller added.
Recall that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had a fortnight ago resolved to lift some sanctions on Niger Republic, Mali and Guinea.
Africa Today News, New York reports that the resolution was taken at the extraordinary summit on the peace, political, and security situation in the ECOWAS sub-region in Abuja on Saturday.
While the regional bloc said the political and targeted sanctions on the Niger Republic remain, it lifted some financial and economic sanctions on Guinea and other sanctions on Mali.
ECOWAS placed a number of sanctions on Niger Republic after President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown by a military coup on July 26, 2023.
However, while reading the statement following the West African bloc’s emergency conference on Saturday, Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, listed some of the sanctions that the Authority decided to waive.