Malian military junta chases ECOWAS rep, gives 72 hrs

The  Malian government has declared the Special Representative of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) “persona non grata” and given him 72 hours to leave the country, according to a statement.

The statement issued on Monday by the Malian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said that the special representative of ECOWAS in Mali, Hamidou Boly, was invited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation where he was “notified of the decision of the government” declaring him “persona non grata in view of his actions incompatible with his status”.

He was also told he had 72 hours to leave the country.

“This decision comes after several warnings addressed to the person concerned through his hierarchy”, indicated the Malian government which reaffirmed its “readiness to maintain dialogue” with ECOWAS and to “work together” for the success of the transition.

This decision was taken by the Malian authorities following a UN Security Council mission on Oct. 23 and Oct. 24 to assess the country’s political situation, after being urged by ECOWAS to respect the deadline of 18 months of transition (from Sept. 15, 2020), thus to organize the first round of legislative and presidential elections on Feb. 27.

ECOWAS President-in-Office John Nana Akuffo-Addo of Ghana made an official visit to Bamako on Oct. 17 to discuss with the Malian authorities the “evolution” of this transition.

After the coup on Aug. 18, 2020, a political transition is underway in the West African country since Sept. 15, 2020 for 18 months.

However, in recent weeks, the transitional authorities have called for the postponement of the first rounds of presidential and legislative elections scheduled for Feb. 27, 2022, thus extending the deadline for the transitional period.