ECOWAS to uphold Mali sanctions until civilian PM appointed

West African states will uphold sanctions on Mali until it appoints a civilian prime minister, the leader of the ECOWAS regional bloc has said. The 15-nation Economic Community of West African States slapped sanctions on Mali after the August 18 military coup, which toppled President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. The sanctions “will be lifted when a civilian prime minister is named”, ECOWAS Commission President Jean-Claude Kassi Brou said on Friday. Mali’s neighbours took a hard line after last month’s coup, imposing sanctions in a bid to push the military government to swiftly restore civilian rule. The trade restrictions include a ban on commercial trade and financial flows, but not on basic necessities, drugs, equipment to fight the coronavirus pandemic, fuel or electricity. Mali’s military government endorsed a plan to restore civilian rule after the coup and appointed a committee which chose 70-year-old retired Colonel and former Defence Minister Bah Ndaw as interim president. Ndaw, who was sworn into office on Friday, has promised to honour the plan – or “transition charter” – and hand over power within 18 months. “The charter is my guidebook,” Ndaw said at the ceremony. “Mali has given me everything. I am happy to be its submissive slave, willing to do everything for it to return to full constitutional legality, with elected authorities, legitimate representatives. “The transition period which begins will not dispute any international undertaking by Mali, nor the agreements signed by the government.” style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0; bottom: 0; right: 0; left: 0;">