West Africa bloc, ECOWAS lifts post-coup sanctions against Mali

The Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) has lifted sanctions it imposed against Mali following an August 18 putsch that ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

The 15-nation bloc – which includes Mali – had, on August 19 said that it would suspend the country from its internal decision-making bodies, close land and air borders, until there is the formation of a unity Government and a demand for “sanctions on the putschists and their collaborators.” Recall that a transitional Government was sworn in a fortnight ago.