Mali’s military rulers are poised to remain firmly in charge of the conflict-hit nation following a feeble response by the west African regional bloc, Ecowas, over its second coup in less than nine months.
Ecowas suspended Mali from its bodies and demanded the appointment of a civilian prime minister who will oversee the country’s transition to civilian rule when elections are held on 27 February 2022.
The regional bloc has been unable to strong arm Mali since protests that triggered the August 2020 coup broke out.
Ecowas continues to be blindsided by the Sahel nation’s political crisis, underscoring its diminishing political influence in the region.
Col Assimi Goita’s ascendancy as Mali’s interim president is the latest demonstration of contempt by the west African nation’s military rulers towards the regional and international community whose influence over the political crisis is quickly waning.
The lack of targeted sanctions against Col Goita and Mali’s junta leaders is likely to embolden the military to continue dominating key state institutions in the expected cabinet appointment.
Source: BBC
