Statement By H. E. Alassane Ouattara, Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government On the Positive Development of the Political Situation in Mali

9 April 2012
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Economic Community of West African States (Abuja)
press release

Abuja - Nigeria — Following the coup d'état perpetrated by Captain Amadou Haya Sanogo on 22 March 2012 against the democratically elected President of Mali, H.E. Amadou Toumani Touré, and in conformity with the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government held emergency Summits on 27th and 29th March 2012 in Abidjan, and on 2nd April 2012 in Dakar.

The purpose was to examine the situation in Mali, the fight against the rebellion in the North, and the efforts aimed at preserving the territorial integrity of Mali. At the Dakar Summit, the Heads of State and Government decided to immediately impose the diplomatic, economic and financial sanctions adopted at the two Abidjan Summits on Mali. H.E. Blaise Compaoré, President of Faso and the Mediator appointed by Authority to follow up on the Mali File, held consultations with the various stakeholders, in particular the Junta, different political forces, religious leaders, and civil society.

These consultations resulted in the signing of a framework agreement on Friday, 6th April 2012 for the restoration of constitutional order in Mali. Indeed, by his declaration of 1st April 2012, the Chairman of the Comité National du Redressement pour la Démocratie et la Restauration de l'Etat (CNRDRE), Captain Amadou Haya Sanogo, had effectively triggered, beginning 6th April 2012, the process of implementation of Article 36 of the Constitution of 25th February 1992, thus paving the way for the restoration of constitutional order in Mali. As a consequence, the Chairman of Authority, with the consent of his peers, has decided to lift all the sanctions imposed on Mali with immediate effect.

The Chairman of Authority would like to express his gratitude to the Mediator, H.E. Blaise Compaoré, the six Heads of State designated by ECOWAS to monitor the Mali crisis, the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, the core countries (Algeria and Mauritania), the African Union, the United Nations and Development Partners, particularly the United States and France, for their efforts in the restoration of constitutional order in Mali. With regard to the armed rebellion in the North of Mali, the Chairman of Authority reiterates the position of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, which demands strict respect for the territorial integrity of Mali.

In that regard, the Committee of ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff, which met in Abidjan on 5th April 2012, has adopted preparatory measures for the rapid deployment of ECOWAS troops to counter any eventuality. These measures will be presented to the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council by next week. Done at Abidjan, this 6th day of April 2012 H.E. Mr. Alassane OUATTAR Chairman of Authority, ECOWAS

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