West Africa’s regional bloc (ECOWAS) lifted sanctions against Mali on Tuesday after the prime minister announced the rest of the transitional government positions two months after a military uprising.
ECOWAS Position in Mali
The Bloc saw “significant advances” toward a return to democracy in Mali, noting the selection of a civilian president and prime minister to lead the process.
On Monday, Prime Minister Moctar Ouane announced the cabinet of 25 ministers, four of them military officials. The positions are the ministries of defense, security, territorial administration and national reconciliation.
ECOWAS also called on the transitional government to free all remaining political prisoners arrested since the Aug. 18 uprising, when democratically elected President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was forced to resign after the army surrounded his home and fired shots into the air.
The Bloc insisted that the transitional government be headed by civilians, though military leader Col. Assimi Goita will retain his position as vice president.
Follow the latest news on Google News
