ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) Commission on Monday disclosed the lifting of sanctions on Mali from participating in the activities of the continental bloc amid improving conditions.
The decision to lift the sanction on Mali from AU activities was made by the Peace and Security Council of the AU Commission during its latest meeting that dwelt upon the situation in the western Africa country.
The AU Commission on Aug. 19 suspended Mali from the pan-African bloc following the forced detention of senior officials, including the country's president and prime minister.
The lift of the sanctions was made in conformity with the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the AU, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, and in line with the AU Constitutive Act, the 2000 Lome Declaration on Unconstitutional Changes of Governments, as well as the Ezulwini Framework for the Enhancement of the Implementation of AU Measures in Situations of Unconstitutional Changes of Government, according to a statement of the Peace and Security Council of the 55-member pan African bloc.
It also endorsed the Declaration of the Authority of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of State and Government on Mali, adopted on October 5, 2020, in which, among others, decided to lift the sanctions imposed on Mali.
The Council, among other things, welcomed "the release of political prisoners who were arrested on August 18, including the former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, and "urged the Transitional Government to devote its efforts and goodwill in expediting the implementation of all outstanding provisions of the transitional mechanisms, including the timely establishment of the National Transitional Council (CNT)."
It also welcomed the appointment and establishment of the Malian Transitional Government, through the swearing-in of retired Colonel Bah N'Daw, as the Interim President and Colonel Assimi Goita as Vice-President on September 25 by the Supreme Court of Mali.
It further welcomed the appointment of former Foreign Minister Moctar Ouane as a civilian Prime Minister on September 27, as well as the announcement of the 25 members of the Malian Transitional Government.
The Council also decided to continue to closely monitor the developments of the situation in Mali. It also requested the Chairperson of the AU Commission to regularly brief the Council on a quarterly basis, on the evolution of the situation in Mali including the implementation of the Charter of the Transition. Enditem
