West African Economic and Monetary Union lifts Mali suspension
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The West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) states that the decision was made during an extraordinary session held on Saturday in Guinea-Bissau.
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Colonel Assimi Goita at the Ministry of Defense in Bamako, Mali, August 22, 2020 (AP)
A West African monetary union announced in a statement that Mali's suspension will be lifted, which was put in place in January 2022 due to the timing of the junta's restoration to civilian rule.
In a communiqué obtained by AFP on Sunday, the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) stated that the decision was made during an extraordinary session held on Saturday in Guinea-Bissau.
Without going into further detail, it stated, "With regard to Mali, the Conference decided to lift its suspension from the UEMOA bodies and institutions on 09 January 2022."
After the Sahel country's military administration presented a plan to rule for five years in January 2022, UEMOA and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) levied a number of economic and diplomatic sanctions against it.
Read: Malian voters overwhelmingly approve changes to constitution
In July 2022, ECOWAS suspended its sanctions in support of the anticipated transition to civilian administration in March 2024.
Assimi Goita, the junta's leader in Mali, took control of the country in August 2020 and then installed a transitional administration run by civilians.
But in a second coup in May 2021, he overthrew those civilian officials. Later, he was sworn in as interim president.
Mali held a vote on constitutional amendments last month, which was a significant step in the military's ambitions to reinstate civilian government, which concluded with the Malians unanimously endorsing the constitutional revisions, marking a critical milestone in the ruling junta's claimed aspirations to restore civilian rule.
At the time, Goita stated in a televised speech that the suggested constitution would "provide for a better-organized executive power while maintaining the necessary balance with the legislative power," adding that it is "(paving) the way for a new Mali."
The drafted constitution would establish a two-chamber legislative system, with a Senate added to the previously existing National Assembly. It would also give the president of Mali additional legislative power, a plan that has sparked political discussion in Bamako amid concerns that it gives the President too much power.
Goita has not made it clear if he wants to run for the presidency. The country is expected to vote for a president next February.
